Animal Sciences Commons^™

Evaluation Of Animal Welfare By The Self-Expression Of An Anxiety State, M. P. Carey, J. P. Fry

Assessment of Animal Welfare Collection

Although mental well-being has long been accepted as an important aspect of animal welfare, the subjective feelings of farm or laboratory animals are regarded as lying beyond the scope of scientific enquiry. We now report that pharmacological conditioning of pigs with a drug, pentylenetetrazole, known to induce anxiety in man, permits investigation of the presence or absence of this psychological state during exposure to a variety of environmental stimuli encountered during normal husbandry. Such pharmacological conditioning therefore provides a valuable means to assess and improve elements of animal welfare and should be applicable to other species that show operant behaviour.

Conflict And Cooperation: Sociobiological Principles And The Behaviour Of Pigs, David Fraser, D. L. Kramer, E. A. Pajor, D. M. Weary

Sociobiology Collection

The pig provides many examples of how principles of behavioural ecology and sociobiology can lead to insights into farm animal behaviour. According to parent-offspring conflict theory, parents should tend to give a level of parental investment somewhat below that solicited by the young. When closely confined during lactation, sows can do little to limit the amount of contact with the piglets, and the young stimulate a prolonged, high level of lactation. Certain alternative housing systems allow the sow to limit the stimulation she receives, and the resulting reduction in lactation can actually be advantageous to both parties. Communal care of …

Mirror Use By African Grey Parrots (Psittacus Erithacus), Irene M. Pepperberg, Sean E. Garcia, Eric C. Jackson, Sharon Marconi

Sentience Collection

No abstract provided.

Population Dynamics Of Black Bears In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Alex Brandon Coley

Masters Theses

Previous estimates of black bear (Ursus americanus) population density from Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP or Park) were low to intermediate when compared to other populations throughout the range of the species. These estimates conflicted with other research on GSMNP bears that indicated a high-density population with consistent growth from the early 1970's to the late 1980's. Thus, the focus of my research was to calculate appropriate estimates of population size and density and evaluate them with respect to trapping regime, demographic data, and hard mast production.

I determined effective study area sizes by calculating the average …

Indicating Acts During Counting By A Chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes), Sarah T. Boysen, Gary G. Berntson, Traci A. Shreyer, Michelle B. Hannan

Sentience Collection

A chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) experienced in counting arrays of 0-7 items and trained for comprehension of number symbols, spontaneously displayed a variety of indicating acts (e.g., pointing, touching, and rearranging items) during counting. Twenty-five sessions were videotaped, and all trials were evaluated for the relations among number of items presented, number of indicating acts displayed, and the Arabic number selected to represent the array. Significant correlations included the relations between number of items and the cardinal number selected by the animal, between the number of items and indicating acts displayed by the chimpanzee, and between the number of indicating acts …

European Wasps : Eradicating An Unwanted Pest, Marc Widmer, John Van Schagen

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

European wasps were first found in Western Australis in 1977. Mark Widmer and John van Schagen outline the pest's life history and control progeams which are in place.

The Distribution, Ecology And Natural History Of Shrews (Insectivora: Soricidae) In Southern West Virginia, Jeffrey Jerome Hajenga

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A survey of the soricid (shrew) fauna of southern West Virginia was conducted between May 16, 1994 and May 27, 1995. Twenty-five sites were established in Mercer and Summers counties within seven habitat types. Pitfall traps were used and through a limitation of fluid depth within the trap the selectivity for soricids was increased to over 83% of the total capture. Overall, a total of 653 shrews comprising seven species (Sorex cinereus, S. /ongirostris, S. fumeus, S. dispar, S. hoyi, 8/arina brevicauda, and Cryptotis parva) was captured. Two of the species taken (S. hoyi and S. dispar) are new county …

Geographic And Nongeographic Variation In The Genus Microtus (Mammalia: Rodentia) In West Virginia, Tina M. Savage

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Geographic and nongeographic variation was assessed on 12 cranial and 4 external characters in approximately 400 specimens of Microtus (M. ochrogaster, M. chrotorrhinus, M. pinetorum, M. pennsylvanicus) in West Virginia. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to examine age-related variation, sexual dimorphism, elevation and geographic variation and litter size for each species of Microtus in the state. Cranial characters were more beneficial than external in detecting variation. Examination of data for each species of Microtus studied demonstrated that values and trends in variation is a specific rather than a generic trait. Age-related variation was present in some, …

Calling By Domestic Piglets: Reliable Signals Of Need?, Daniel M. Weary, David Fraser

Communication Skills Collection

Two manipulations were performed on domestic piglets to determine whether differences in calling during periods of separation from the mother can indicate differences in need. In both cases, the aim was to manipulate the piglet's need for the sow's attention. In the first manipulation a 'thriving' piglet (i.e. the piglet with the heaviest weight and most rapid weight gain) and a 'non-thriving' one (lightest and slowest weight gain) were selected from each of 15 litters. The two piglets were removed from the sow and litter and recorded for 13 min in separate isolated enclosures. For the second manipulation, two piglets …

Responses To Quantity: Perceptual Versus Cognitive Mechanisms In Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes), Sarah T. Boysen, Gary G. Berntson

Sentience Collection

Two chimpanzees were trained to select among 2 different amounts of candy (1-6 items). The task was designed so that selection of either array by the active (selector) chimpanzee resulted in that array being given to the passive (observer) animal, with the remaining (nonselected) array going to the selector. Neither animal was able to select consistently the smaller array, which would reap the larger reward. Rather, both animals preferentially selected the larger array, thereby receiving the smaller number of reinforcers. When Arabic numerals were substituted for the food arrays, however, the selector animal evidenced more optimal performance, immediately selecting the …

Comprehension Of Cause-Effect Relations In A Tool-Using Task By Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes), Luca Limongelli, Sarah T. Boysen, Elisabetta Visalberghi

Sentience Collection

Five chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) were tested to assess their understanding of causality in a tool task. The task consisted of a transparent tube with a trap-hole drilled in its middle. A reward was randomly placed on either side of the hole. Depending on which side the chimpanzee inserted the stick into, the candy was either pushed out of the tube or into the trap. In Experiment 1, the success rate of 2 chimpanzees rose highly above chance, but that of the other subjects did not. Results show that the 2 successful chimpanzees selected the correct side for insertion beforehand. Experiment …

Maturation Of The Gilt's Uterus Before Puberty: Response To Progesterone At Different Ages (1995), P G. Groothuis, R M. Blair, Duane L. Davis

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

We determined the age at which progesterone induced certain responses in the gilt's uterus. The prepubertal maturation permitting each response is being studied currently with the intent of using the information to develop methods to improve litter size in pigs, perhaps by identifying markers for uterine function that could be used before gilts enter the breeding herd.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 16, 1995

Roundup 1995

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Roundup is the major beef cattle education and outreach event sponsored by the Agricultural Research Center-Hays. The purpose is to communicate timely, applicable research information to producers and extension personnel. The research program of the Agricultural Research Center-Hays is dedicated to serving the people of Kansas by developing new knowledge and technology to stabilize and sustain long-term production of food and fiber in a manner consistent with conservation of natural resources, protection of the environment, and assurance of food safety. Primary emphasis is on production efficiency through optimization of inputs in order to increase profit margins for producers in the …

Dietary Lysine And Slaughter Weight Affect Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics In Boars And Barrows (1995), M M. Rantanen, Robert H. Hines, I H. Kim, K G. Friesen, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

During the growing and finishing period, the boars ate less, had better F/G, and were less fat than barrows. A high plane of nutrition (high vs moderate lysine concentrations for the growing-finishing phases) and decreasing slaughter weight from 260 to 220 lb also improved efficiency of gain and carcass leanness. However, many notable interactions occurred among the gender x lysine x slaughter weight treatments. Also, year (rotational-cross of average health status and lean growth potential vs a terminal-cross of high lean growth potential after repopulation of the farm) had pronounced effects on growth performance and carcass merits such that the …

Estimated Budgets For Separate-Site Swine Production (1995), Kevin C. Dhuyvetter, Michael D. Tokach, R D. Jones

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Budgets were developed to help Kansas swine producers analyze the economics of separate-site production. Return on investment (ROI) was estimated at 9.5%in each of the three production phases. Returns over total costs were very sensitive to transfer price between phases (weaned pig and feeder pig price) as well as production efficiencies and input costs.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 16, 1995

Display Life And Related Traits Of Low-Dose Irradiated, Boneless, Pork Chops (1995), S E. Luchsinger, Zepeda C.M. Garcia, Edgar Iv Chambers, M E. Hollingsworth, Melvin C. Hunt, James L. Marsden, Sally L. Stroda, Canas E. Rubio J, Curtis L. Kastner, W G. Kuecker, T Mata, Donald H. Kropf

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Irradiation and vacuum-packaging caused a more intense and stable red color in boneless pork chops. Irradiation up to 2.5 kGy increased cooked internal redness in chilled chops. Oxidative rancidity was greater in aerobic packaging than vacuum-packaging and in irradiated aerobic packaged chops than controls. Irradiation of vacuum-packaged boneless pork chops has promising potential for market acceptance.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 16, 1995

The Effects Of Increasing Dietary Energy Density On Growing-Finishing Pig Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics (1995), J W. Smith Ii, R M. Musser, W B. Nessmith Jr, J R. Bergstrom, J A. Loughmiller, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Eighty crossbred gilts were used in a growth trial to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary energy density on growing-finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics. In this trial, adding fat to corn-soybean meal diets with a constant calorie: lysine ratio to increase the energy density during the growing phase (98 to 160 lb) improved feed efficiency with no influence on growth rate. However, increasing the energy content of the diet by adding fat had no benefit during the finishing phase (160 to 233 lb).; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 16, 1995

Particle Size (1,000 Vs 500 Um) Affects Nutritional Value Of Simple And Complex Diets For Weanling Pigs And Broiler Chicks (1995), I H. Kim, M R. Cabrera, Robert H. Hines, M M. Rantanen, Joe D. Hancock, Keith C. Behnke

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Nursery pigs fed complex diets had greater ADG than those fed simple diets, and as particle size was reduced, ADG and F/G tended to improve. There was a trend for reducing particle size to increase ADG more for pigs fed simple versus complex diets, but the response in efficiency of gain was of similar magnitude regardless of diet complexity. A second experiment was designed to determine if broiler chicks were an acceptable model for predicting the effects of feed processing procedures on nursery pigs. Chicks responded somewhat differently than pigs to the diet complexity x particle size treatments, with reduction …

Effects Of Distillers Grains On Growth Performance In Nursery And Finishing Pigs (1995), B W. Senne, P S. Sorrell, I H. Kim, S L. Traylor, Robert H. Hines, Joe D. Hancock, Keith C. Behnke

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Rate and efficiency of gain were not affected by adding as much as 20% distillers dried grains in isocaloric diets for nursery pigs or 30% in isocaloric diets for finishing pigs. These results demonstrate that the previously suggested maximums of 5% distillers dried grains in nursery diets and 10% distillers dried grains in finishing diets are too conservative. Finally, because the 20% (nursery) and 30% (finishing) treatments were the greatest concentrations used in our experiments, additional growth assays are needed to determine the maximum limits for distillers dried grains in diets for pigs.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 16, 1995

Effects Of Various Fractions Of Spray-Dried Plasma Protein On Performance Of Early-Weaned Pigs (1995), K Q. Owen, K G. Friesen, B T. Richert, J W. Smith Ii, L E. Russell, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two experiments were conducted to determine the individual protein fraction (IgG, low molecular weight peptides and albumin) contained in spray-dried plasma protein responsible for stimulating feed intake. In Exp. 1, pigs (21 d of age) fed a diet containing the IgG protein fraction had similar performance to pigs fed a plasma protein diet. In Exp. 2, two fractions of spray-dried porcine plasma, IgG and albumin, were evaluated with pigs (10 d of age). Pigs fed either fraction had performance similar to pigs fed plasma protein.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 16, 1995

Combinations Of Select Menhaden Fish Meal And Spray-Dried Plasma Protein In The Transition Diet (11 To 15 Lb) For The Early-Weaned Pig (1995), J R. Bergstrom, K Q. Owen, W B. Nessmith Jr, B T. Richert, J W. Smith Ii, Jim L. Nelssen, Michael D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Steven S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Early-weaned pigs (weaned at 7 to 14 d of age) that are managed in a conventional, one-site production system require a more complex diet in the transition phase (11 to 15 lb) than early-weaned pigs that are managed in a segregated early weaning (SEW), multiple-site, production system.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 16, 1995

Selection Response And Genetic Parameter Estimation For Feed Intake, Gain, And Feed Conversion (1995), J.B. Jr. Glaze, R.R. Schalles

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Performance records of 1459 Polled Hereford cattle born from 1967 through 1979 were analyzed to estimate genetic parameters and the direct and correlated responses that were due to selection for feed conversion. Heritabilities were .24 for intake, .25 for gain, and .14 for feed conversion. The genetic correlation between average daily gain and feed conversion was -.82; correlation between average daily gain and feed intake was .42. Faster-gaining cattle have greater feed intakes and are more efficient. Feed conversion was improved by direct selection. However, it is more economically feasible for breeders to improve feed conversion by selecting for faster …

Pregnancy Rates In Mga-Prostaglandin Synchronized Heifers Bred At Estrus Or Inseminated At Fixed Times (1995), J.M. Smith, L.R. Corah, G.C. Lamb, A.R. Spell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this project was to study the effects on pregnancy rates of inseminating estrus-synchronize d heifers either at observed estrus or at a fixed time. In April, 1994, 574 yearling crossbred heifers, located on six Kansas ranches, were inseminated to achieve this objective. Her d size ranged from 38 to 293 head. The heifers were synchronized with the MGA-prostaglandin (PGF) system. Heifers were either inseminated 12 hr after the onset of estrus or, if not showing estrus, 72 hr after PGF. Pregnancy rates of 491 heifers bred on estrus averaged 56.6% (39.2 to 80.4%). Pregnancy rates for the …

Influence Of Increasing Proportion Of Supplemental Nitrogen From Urea On Intake And Fermentation Characteristics In Beef Steers Consuming Low-Quality, Tallgrass-Prairie Forage (1995), H.H. Köster, R.C. Cochran, E.S. Vanzant, K.K. Kreikemeier, G. St Jean, Evan C. Titgemeyer, Tiruvoor G. Nagaraja

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Five ruminally and duodenally fistulated Angus x Hereford steers were used to determine intake and fermentation responses associated with increasing the proportion of supplemental degradable intake protein (DIP) provided by urea. Steers had free access to a dormant, tallgrass-prairie forage. The supplemental DIP was provided by sodium caseinate and (or) urea , at a level that was determined previously to optimize use of a similar forage. Supplemental DIP was balanced with corn starch to provide a final supplement of 40% crude protein. Percentages of DIP from urea were: 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. Supplements were given intraruminally. Increasing the …

The Effect Of Dietary Zinc Level And Source On Yearling Bull Growth And Fertility (1995), J.D. Arthington, K.R. Johnson, L.R. Corah, C.L. Willms, D.A. Hill

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

To study the effect of dietary zinc level and source on bull growth and fertility, 325 yearling Angus bulls were allotted by weight into six pens (three pens of heavy and three pens of lightweight bulls). The three supplemental zinc (Zn) treatments were 1) 40 ppm inorganic Zn all supplied by Zn sulfate (ZnI); 2) 40 ppm Zn with 1/3 supplied by Zn proteinate and 2/3 supplied by Zn sulfate (ZnPI); and 3) 60 ppm ZnI all supplied by Zn sulfate (ZnHi). Initial and final liver biopsies (10 per pen) were collected and analyzed for zinc concentration. Individual weights and …

The Effect Of Implants On Gain Of Heifers Grazing Native Grass (1995), F.K. Brazle, D.L. Cook

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Three hundred-ninety crossbred heifers were allotted randomly to one of three implant treatments: 1) Implus- H®, 2) Synovex-H®, and 3) Ralgro®. The heifers grazed native grass pastures for 122 days, stocked at 4 acres per head. The heifers receiving the Implus-H tended to gain faster (P<.12) than the Ralgro heifers. No difference in gain occurred between the Implus-H and Synovex-H heifers.

Effects Of Grazing System And Use Of A Pasture-Phase Implant On Grazing And Finishing Performance Of Steers (1995), Robert T. Brandt Jr., C.T. Milton, Clenton E. Owensby

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Results are presented from the first year of a 2-year study to evaluate the effects of grazing system (intensive-early stocking or IES vs season-long grazing or SLG) with or without a pasture-phase implant (Synovex-S®) on grazing and subsequent finishing performance. Compared to a SLG system, IES resulted in faster rate of gain on pasture and more beef produced per acre, although SLG resulted in greater total pasture gain per animal. Implanting improved rate of gain and increased beef per acre, particularly for IES steers. In the feedlot, IES steers gained weight faster and more efficiently than SLG steers. However, SLG …

Response Of Pregnant Beef Cows To Undegradable Intake Protein Fed In Excess Of The Degradable Intake Protein Requirement (1995), R.C. Cochran, H.H. Koster, E.S. Vanzant, Timothy J. Jones, K. C. Olson, Evan C. Titgemeyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two concurrent experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect on performance and forage intake of increasing the supply of undegradable intake protein (UIP) to pregnant beef cows already receiving sufficient degradable intake protein (DIP) to maximize forage intake. Three supplements were fed at .34% BW/day, providing .092% B W/day of DIP (level determined in previous study to maximize forage intake) and .042, .059, and .077% BW/day of UIP (low , moderate, and high UIP, respectively) . In study 1, ad libitum tallgrassprairie forage intake was measured daily from 12/1/93 to 2/10/9 4 using 18 pregnant Angus x Hereford cows. Forage …

Sulfur Amino Acid Utilization By Growing Steers (1995), C.G. Campbell, G. St Jean, Evan C. Titgemeyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two studies were conducted to evaluate sulfur amino acid requirements of growing steers. In trial 1, six ruminally cannulated steers (352 lb) were used to determine methionine requirements . Treatments were abomasal infusions of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 g/day of L-methionine. Steers were fed 5.8 lb of a soyhull and wheat straw based diet. Continuous infusion s of acetate, propionate, and butyrate into the rumen and of dextrose into the abomasum were made to increase energy. Amino acids other than methionine were infused into the abomasum to ensure that they did not limit steer performance. Nitrogen retention …

Feeder Cattle Price Differentials: How Much Did They Change Over Time? (1995), J. Mintert, F. Brazle, J. Iii Sartwelle, R. Jr. Bolze, Michael R. Langemeier, Ted C. Schroeder

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Results from mathematical models of feeder cattle price/characteristics using data collected in Kansa s and Missouri in 1986/1987 and from 1993 using the same data collection and modeling procedures indicate that the implicit values of many feeder cattle characteristics changed over time. Characteristic values often changed whether their value was measured in dollars per hundredweight or as a percentage of the mean feeder p rice during the data collection period. Directional impacts of characteristics on feeder cattle price were generally consistent from 1986/1987 to 1993. These results imply that, as market conditions change, new feeder cattle price/characteristic relationships need to …