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A note on the ease of handling and flight distance of Bos indicus, Bos taurus and their crossbreds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. D. Kabuga
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
P. Appiah
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Abstract

Ease of handling (time to enter and exit scales and dip, and temperament scores) and flight distance were studied in Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle and their crossbreds. At one research station (LS), 20 cows and 20 female calves, each of N'dama and West African Shorthorn (WASH) cattle were used. At another research station (BRS), 15 cows each of N'dama, Holstein and their crossbreds (NH) were used for the study. In addition a further 20 cows and 20 female calves of the N'dama breed were studied at BRS for comparison with the N'dama at LS. There were no significant differences in ease of handling and flight distance between N'dama and WASH and between N'dama at LS and at BRS. There were significant differences between N'dama, Holstein and NH cows in ease of handling and flight distance. Cows took a shorter time to enter but generally a longer time to exit a scale, had a shorter flight distance and a lower temperament score (P < 0·01) than calves.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1992

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