Ear-tag chewing, ear rubbing and ear traumas in a small group of gilts after having electronic ear tags attached
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| Category | Journal Articles |
|---|---|
| Abstract |
To facilitate field trials of a prototype computerised sow feeder, electronic and conventional ear tags were attached to a group of 7 gilts. Observations were made on ear-tag chewing, ear rubbing and traumas to ears during the following 16 days. The electronic ear tags were chewed significantly more frequently than conventional ear tags and ears with electronic tags attached were significantly more traumatised than ears with conventional tags. The severity of traumas to ears with electronic ear tags was positively correlated to: (a) the frequency the gilts rubbed those ears on objects within the pen; (b) the frequency the electronic ear tags were chewed. The results indicate that some designs of ear tag may cause a greater imposition than others on the well-being of the animals to which they are attached. |
| Date | 1990 |
| Publication Title | Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 247-254 |
| ISBN/ISSN | 0168-1591 |
| Language | English |
| Author Address | Centre for Electronics in Agriculture, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W. 2351, Australia. |
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