Function of Tongue-Playing of Cattle in Association With Other Behavioral and Physiological Characteristics
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2008 |
Authors: |
Toshie Ishiwata, Katsuji Uetake, Yusuke Eguchi, Toshio Tanaka |
Publication/Journal: |
Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science |
Keywords: |
cattle, holstein, japanese black, tongue-playing |
ISBN: |
1088-8705 |
Abstract:
To study the function of tongue-playing of cattle, this study observed 71 Japanese Black x Holstein steers after feeding in 2 repetitive experiments. The number of steers who performed tongue-playing did not differ among the 3 levels of environmentally enriched pens. Most (90.6%) performances of tongue-playing terminated within 20 min. Frequency of tongue-playing positively correlated with the frequency of resting (r = 0.25, p < .05). Frequency of eating was lower in tongue-playing steers (n = 40) than in non-tongue-playing steers (n = 31; p < .05). Frequencies of self-grooming (p < .05), ruminating (p < .05), and lying ruminating (p < .01) were higher in tongue-playing steers. Plasma dopamine concentration was lower in tongue-playing steers (p < .05). In conclusion, tongue-playing that lasts only for a short time after feeding was induced by behavioral features of steers who rest more and eat hay less at the same time as they perform grooming and ruminating.