ABSTRACT We analysed the frequency of symptoms and degree of muscle pain in selected body parts of racing horses assessed during classic massage sessions. The influence of horse’s sex on obtained results was considered. The potential for the early determination of pain in horses by analysing their behaviour and cardiac parameters during a massage session was also evaluated. The study was conducted on 20 three-year-old purebred Arabian horses during one racing season. In the racing season, cyclic classic massage sessions […]

ABSTRACT The objective was to investigate the effects of available shaded area on behavioural characteristics of lactating cows during the warm season in the subtropics. Twelve Holstein cows were divided into groups, with 2 (SH2) or 10 m2 (SH10) of available shade per cow (six cows per treatment). The behaviour was recorded when animals were grazing from 09.00 to 16.00 h (GMT −02.00 h) throughout the trial. Data considered in the statistical analysis were restricted to the five days when […]

The objective of this work is to characterize two contrasting systems of fattening pigs in Uruguay. A total of 96 pigs (average 41.7 kg) were divided into eight groups of 12 animals, representing two production systems: (IN) pigs confined in pens of 12 m2 or (OUT) kept in plots with field shelters and access to pasture. Behavioral observations were performed by scan sampling at 5-minute intervals, three times a day during weeks 6, 8, 10 and 12 of the experiment. […]

It was studied the behavior and physiologic answers of juvenile of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, submitted the different backgrounds colors and social situations. The animals were maintained isolated in fishbowls covered with colored paper-card, composing five treatments (black, green, brown, blue and white). Through weekly filmings and in different and alternate stages (isolation and presence of a mirror), it enrolled the following parameters: distribution in the column of water, coloration, motility, agonistic behaviors, position of the dorsal fin and posture. […]

The objectives of this research were to evaluate the influence of rearing systems (intensive or semi-intensive) on the performance (body weight and feed efficiency), chicken physiological condition under heat stress (rectal temperature, respiratory frequency and hematocrit) and behavioural parameters (frequency in the pasture areas) of broilers lines. To evaluate broiler’s performance and physiological condition on the ages of 45, 55, 65 and 75 days one experiment was carried out in boxes with 4,5 m2 of inside area and 35 m2 […]