Electrical Prod Use on Behavioral Activities and Physiological Characteristics of Weaned Beef Cattle1

Abstract The objective of the experiment was to determine the effects of an electrical prod application on behavioral and physiological characteristics of weaned beef cattle. Twenty-one crossbred beef cattle (avg. age and wt., 273 ± 4.3 d and 313 ± 8.6 kg) were randomly allotted into seven trios with stratification by weight and breed. One animal from each trio was then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 1) touched with electric prod, but not buzzed or shocked (o); 2) touched and buzzed simultaneously, but not shocked (b); and 3) simultaneously touched, buzzed and shocked (s). The (s) group was touched, shocked, and buzzed on d 2 and d 8 of the trial; on d 1, d 3 to d 7, and d 9 to d 13 the s group was touched and buzzed, and the o and b groups received their assigned treatments. Blood samples were taken on d 1, 7, and 13. Treatments were imposed as each individual entered the chute system. Behavior scores, length of time the calves spent in each section of the chute system, and videorecordings were obtained for each animal as they passed through the chute. Daily heart rate, respiration, and rectal temperatures were not affected by treatment ( P >0.05). Effects of treatment applications on blood (erythrocyte, leukocyte, serum protein), and prompting scores (5 = no handler; 4 = handler sound; 3 = handler slap; 2 = handler twist tail; 1 = handler push) were not different among treatments (P>0.05). Some animal behaviors (5 = quiet, little reaction; 4 = docile, easy to handle; 3 = alert, slight resistance; 2 = excitable, difficult to handle; 1 = uncontrollable, resists handling), and time to move through the chute system were significantly different among treatment groups. Effects of electrical prod application (shock) apparently did not cause additional measurable distress compared to the distress from handling and moving calves with no mechanical handling aids. However, in this study, the electrical prod was applied sparingly and in a controlled manner.