Factors Affecting the Welfare of Calves in Auction Markets

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Marketing is described as inherently stressful for cattle. When animals are sold through auction markets, travel time and fasting may be prolonged, and the chance of being mixed with unfamiliar animals is increased. Within Chile, 37% of auctioned cattle are “calves”. To assess factors that may be affecting the welfare of calves during handling and penning in markets, twelve markets were visited. Behavioral indicators of welfare during movement and penning were observed. Handling and facilities were also evaluated. We determined variables associated with differences in behavioral indicators of welfare between groups of calves. An increase in group size, number of blows/hits and other negative interactions, presence of aggressive/rough driving, slippery floor, and inadequate lighting were associated with differences in welfare indices during movement. During penning, not mixing calves from different farms was associated with an increase in positive and a decrease in negative behavioral indicators. Increased stocking density was associated with decreased positive indicators. The increased numbers of daily auctioned cattle, passage of time, and calves not mixed with incompatible animals were associated with a decrease in negative indicators and the presence of males was associated with an increase. Variables associated with negative welfare indicators were mainly linked with handling of calves. ABSTRACT: Marketing cattle through auctions increases marketing time, exposing animals to more stressful events. Within Chile, 37% of auctioned cattle are “calves”. To assess factors that may be affecting the welfare of calves during movement and penning, twelve markets were visited to evaluate behavioral indicators of welfare, handling, and facilities. Behavioral indicators during movement were classified into movement and other behaviors, and indicators during penning were classified into positive or negative behavioral welfare indicators. For each group of calves, an index was calculated based on a proportion of observed behavioral indicators. Statistical models were built to identify variables associated with changes in these indices. Presence of inappropriate driving, inadequate lighting, and slippery floor was associated with a movement index increase (poorer welfare). Negative tactile interactions were associated with an increase, and group size was associated with a decrease in movement index and other behavior indices. During penning, not mixing animals from different sources was associated with an increase and stocking density with a decrease in positive welfare index. Number of auctioned cattle, observation number, and not mixing with incompatible and/or with calves from different sources were factors associated with a decrease in negative welfare index, and the presence of males was associated with an increase. Behavioral welfare indicators were mostly associated with handling.