[Breed and sex differences in the temperament of calves in a cow-calf operation].
Behavioural traits related to temperament were studied in German Angus (Aberdeen Angus x German dual purpose breeds) and German Simmental cattle. Temperament was defined as the animal's behavioural response to handling. 498 calves (279 German Angus, 219 German Simmental) were tested with two different restrain tests. The animals were tested three times individually during a fixation procedure (days of live: 5, 19, 33) or weighting (days of live: 62, 138, 193). LSQ-means were calculated with a model including breed, year and sex as fixed effects and the sire as a random. Furthermore a regression on the age of the calf was included. Behaviour of the animals were recorded. Significant differences in the recorded parameters were found between the breeds on day 19 and 33 for one test and day 62 for another test. German Angus and male calves were less difficult to handle regarding the different parameters. Both tests could be used to show differences between the breeds.
Gauly
M
M
Institut für Tierzucht und Haustiergenetik, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen. MGauly@aol.com
Mathiak
H
H
Kraus
M
M
Hoffmann
K
K
Erhardt
G
G
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001947:Breeding; D002417:Cattle / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013694:Temperament