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Efeito da interação homem-animal positiva precoce sobre a saúde e distância de fuga de vitelos
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Resumo(s)
O conceito de Bem-estar Animal tem-se transformado consideravelmente ao longo dos anos. Originalmente, o foco estava apenas na eliminação das experiências negativas para os animais. A perspetiva atual amplia esse conceito para promover a inclusão de experiências positivas, na tentativa de alcançar um patamar mais elevado: a Qualidade de Vida dos animais. A qualidade da relação Homem-animal desempenha um papel crucial sobre a produtividade e o nível de bem-estar animal e o estabelecimento de interações positivas é essencial para otimizar essa relação. Por outro lado, interações negativas podem provocar medo e stress, o que, além de comprometer o bem-estar e a saúde, tem também repercussões económicas. Neste estudo avaliou-se o efeito sobre a distância de fuga, a ingestão de leite e os tratamentos médicos de sessões de interação positiva entre seres humanos e vitelos de leite de raça Holstein. Os do grupo tratamento (n= 51) receberam entre 30 a 50 minutos de carícias, divididos em sessões de 5 minutos, três vezes por semana, desde o nascimento até serem transferidos para parques coletivos. Os vitelos do grupo controlo (n= 50) foram submetidos apenas ao maneio de rotina da exploração. A distância de fuga foi medida após o término do tratamento positivo, quando os animais já se encontravam em parques coletivos. Os dados relativos à ingestão de leite foram extraídos da máquina de alimentação automática e os dados de parâmetros de saúde foram registados durante o ensaio. Os vitelos que receberam o tratamento positivo apresentaram distâncias de fuga menores do que os do grupo controlo. Em relação à ingestão de leite não se verificou o efeito da interação positiva, não existindo diferenças significativas entre os grupos. O mesmo se pode dizer da comparação estatística entre os grupos no que diz respeito ao número de tratamentos médicos e ao tempo até ao tratamento médico. O tratamento positivo mostrou-se eficaz na redução do medo dos vitelos em relação aos humanos. A implementação de interações positivas na rotina de maneio, especialmente em períodos críticos da vida do animal, pode constituir uma ferramenta para melhorar o bem-estar animal nas explorações, sem exigir um investimento significativo de tempo ou dinheiro
ABSTRACT - Effect of early positive human-animal interaction on health and avoidance distance of calves - The concept of Animal Welfare has transformed considerably over the years. Originally, the focus was solely on eliminating negative experiences for animals. The current perspective expands this concept to promote the inclusion of positive experiences, in an attempt to reach a higher standard: the Quality of Life of animals. The quality of the human-animal relationship plays a crucial role in both productivity and the level of animal welfare, and establishing positive interactions is essential for optimizing this relationship. On the other hand, negative interactions can cause fear and stress, which, in addition to compromising well-being and health, also have economic repercussions. In this study, the effect of positive interaction sessions between humans and Holstein dairy calves on avoidance distance, milk intake and medical treatments was evaluated. The calves in the treatment group (n= 51) received between 30 to 50 minutes of stroking, divided into 5-minute sessions, three times a week, from birth until they were transferred to group pens. The calves in the control group (n= 50) were subjected only to routine farm handling. The avoidance distance was measured after the positive treatment ended, when the calves were already in group pens. Data on milk intake were extracted from the automatic feeding machine, and health parameter data were recorded during the trial. Calves that received positive treatment exhibited shorter avoidance distances than those in the control group. Regarding milk intake, no effect of positive interaction was observed, and there were no significant differences between the two groups. The same can be said for the statistical comparison between the groups concerning the number of medical treatments and the time until medical treatment. Positive treatment proved effective in reducing the calves’ fear of humans. Implementing positive interactions into the handling routine, especially during critical periods of the animal’s life, can be a valuable tool for improving animal welfare on farms without requiring a significant investment of time or money
ABSTRACT - Effect of early positive human-animal interaction on health and avoidance distance of calves - The concept of Animal Welfare has transformed considerably over the years. Originally, the focus was solely on eliminating negative experiences for animals. The current perspective expands this concept to promote the inclusion of positive experiences, in an attempt to reach a higher standard: the Quality of Life of animals. The quality of the human-animal relationship plays a crucial role in both productivity and the level of animal welfare, and establishing positive interactions is essential for optimizing this relationship. On the other hand, negative interactions can cause fear and stress, which, in addition to compromising well-being and health, also have economic repercussions. In this study, the effect of positive interaction sessions between humans and Holstein dairy calves on avoidance distance, milk intake and medical treatments was evaluated. The calves in the treatment group (n= 51) received between 30 to 50 minutes of stroking, divided into 5-minute sessions, three times a week, from birth until they were transferred to group pens. The calves in the control group (n= 50) were subjected only to routine farm handling. The avoidance distance was measured after the positive treatment ended, when the calves were already in group pens. Data on milk intake were extracted from the automatic feeding machine, and health parameter data were recorded during the trial. Calves that received positive treatment exhibited shorter avoidance distances than those in the control group. Regarding milk intake, no effect of positive interaction was observed, and there were no significant differences between the two groups. The same can be said for the statistical comparison between the groups concerning the number of medical treatments and the time until medical treatment. Positive treatment proved effective in reducing the calves’ fear of humans. Implementing positive interactions into the handling routine, especially during critical periods of the animal’s life, can be a valuable tool for improving animal welfare on farms without requiring a significant investment of time or money
Descrição
Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária, área científica de Clínica
Palavras-chave
Bem-estar animal Comportamento animal Vitelo Animal welfare Animal behaviour Calves Avoidance behaviour
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Esteves BDB. 2024. Efeito da interação homem-animal positiva precoce sobre a saúde e distância de fuga de vitelos [dissertação de mestrado]. Lisboa: FMV-Universidade de Lisboa
Editora
Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária