Gyr cows (Bos taurus indicus) in the peripartum period: assessment of calving prediction devices and factors affecting the maternal behavior and defensiveness

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of the reticulo-rumen temperature and activity pattern of Gyr heifers as calving predictors and characterize the defensiveness and maternal care of primiparous and multiparous Gyr cows, evaluating the possible effects of parity and training protocol to the first milking prior calving toward these behaviors. Fifty-two Gir Leiteiro cows from the Empresa de Pesauissa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (Epamig Oeste, Uberaba, Brazil) were used. All samples came from the same herd divided into three experimental groups, one for each chapter. (Chapter I): Forty pregnant Gir heifers received an intra-ruminal bolus that recorded reticulo-rumen temperature (Trr) and activity (Act). The animals had Trr and Act monitored during the prepartum period. We observed a decrease in Trr and an increase in Act in the days before calving. Differences in Trr and Act were most evident during the last 21 and 11 hours before parturition, respectively. There was a drop of 0.20°C in Trr. The analyzes revealed that both characteristics have the potential to predict parturition, however particularities in the thermal physiology of Zebu cattle must be considered when using devices validated only for European breeds. (Chapter II): Thirty-one Gir cows, among primiparous (n = 16) and multiparous (n = 15) were allocated in a maternity paddock monitored by video cameras. The behavior of the animals was collected in four periods: Pre-calving, Post-calving, First handling of calf and Post-handling. Primiparous cows showed a longer duration of standing with an arched spine and tended to move more than multiparous cows in the pre-calving period, which can be considered an indicator of pain and discomfort in these animals. Both primiparous and multiparous cows were protective of their calves, but only multiparous females were aggressive towards the handlers in the first calf handling. Furthermore, more protective cows spent more time eating before calving, while less attentive cows spent more time lying down before calving. (Chapter III): Thirty-seven primiparous dairy Gyr cows were allocated into two groups: Training Group (n = 16) was submitted to a protocol for the first milking, involving tactile stimulation; Control group (n = 21) was submitted to the common management of the farm, without interactions and/or additional handling. Animal behavior was recorded in three periods: Post-calving, First handling of calf and Post-handling. Calf latency to stand up, weight, and sex influenced cow-calf interactions, whereas training group cows touched less and spent more time not interacting with their calves. Both Training and Control groups had protective dams, but a higher percentage of Trained group dams were calmer toward calf handling. In conclusion, Trr and Act had potential to calving prediction in Gyr Heifers; Multiparous Gyr cows tended be more aggressive with their calves’ defense than primiparous; Training protocol to the first milking involving tactile stimulation reduced maternal care and defensiveness in primiparous Gyr cows.