The time relative to parturition does not affect the behavioral or aggressive reactions in Zebu cows (Bos indicus)

Abstract One of the main causes of accidents with cattle is the maternal aggression of mothers protecting their newborns. Thus the purpose of the present experiment was to determine if the reaction of Bos indicus cows to different practices varies during the peripartum period. The reaction of the cow to the separation and handling of her calf by humans, and the exit speed and flight reaction were evaluated on a herd of 31 zebu-type cows. A scoring system from 1 to 5 was used to categorize the reaction of the cow to the separation and handling of her calf. In this sense, while 1 meant that the cow stood very quiet or indifferent during the procedure, 5 indicated that the cow was aggressive and tried to get through the fence to protect her calf. Data were analyzed with a mixed model including the peripartum period (5 weeks pre-calving to 5 weeks after parturition) as a repeated factor. The data from the maternal protective tests with or without humans were compared with a mixed model including the peripartum period, the type of test and their interaction in the model. There were no significant effects in any analysis performed. The protective test without humans ranged from 1.69 to 1.94, while the protective test with the presence of humans ranged from 0.93 to 1.38. The exit velocity ranged from 0.53 m/s to 1.01 m/s. The flight distance ranged from 4.1 m to 5.1 m, and the flight reaction ranged from 1.47 to 2.10. It was concluded that the temperament of Zebu type cows and their reaction to their calves and people handling their calves was not affected by the peripartum period. Thought, these measures cannot be used to predict the aggressiveness of the cows.