Abstract #T14
Section: Animal Behavior and Well-Being (posters)
Session: Animal Behavior and Well-Being II
Format: Poster
Day/Time: Tuesday 7:30 AM–9:30 AM
Location: Exhibit Hall A
Session: Animal Behavior and Well-Being II
Format: Poster
Day/Time: Tuesday 7:30 AM–9:30 AM
Location: Exhibit Hall A
# T14
Impacts of wild birds on pathogen dissemination and behavioral interactions in dairy cattle.
Tyler P. Caskin*1, John M. Gay2, Karen M. M. Steensma3, Joseph H. Harrison4, Brian Garries3, Aurora Sarchet3, Amber L. Adams Progar1, 1Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 2Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 3Departments of Biology and Environmental Studies, Trinity Western University, Langely, BC, Canada, 4Departments of Animal Science and Extension, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA.
Key Words: fecal pathogen, feeding behavior, wild birds
Impacts of wild birds on pathogen dissemination and behavioral interactions in dairy cattle.
Tyler P. Caskin*1, John M. Gay2, Karen M. M. Steensma3, Joseph H. Harrison4, Brian Garries3, Aurora Sarchet3, Amber L. Adams Progar1, 1Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 2Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 3Departments of Biology and Environmental Studies, Trinity Western University, Langely, BC, Canada, 4Departments of Animal Science and Extension, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA.
Feed loss and pathogen dissemination from wild birds may cost Washington dairy farmers $200,000 per year per farm. Wild birds may also alter cattle feeding, aggression, and aversion behaviors. The objectives of this study were to (1) record the number of birds present on Washington dairies; (2) observe behavioral changes in cattle feeding; and (3) determine the pathogens present in bird fecal matter on dairies. Based on bird migration patterns, fall and winter seasons were selected for data collection. Bird counts were recorded every 7 d over the course of 4 wk using direct observations on 11 dairies. Pathogen and behavior studies were conducted in 15 lactating pens on 5 farms, averaging 4 pens per farm. Bird fecal samples were collected for pathogen analysis. On-farm cameras recorded cattle and wild bird behaviors that included the number of cows eating, occurrences of cow intra-species aggressive and aversive behaviors, and incidences of aggressive and aversive behaviors between cows and birds at the feed bunk. Pathogen data were analyzed using PROC LOGISTIC and behavioral data were analyzed using PROC GENMOD in SAS. The number of birds observed at any specific time was 0–1,000 birds per farm. Escherichia coli was isolated from 34/88 samples, and Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from only one sample. No significant differences in the number of positive E. coli samples were found between locations (2.3 ± 0.4 samples; P = 0.17). Preliminary results suggest that the percentage of head gates used by cows (0.03 ± 0.005% vs. 0.8 ± 0.01%; P < 0.001), and the number of cows eating (1 ± 0.09 vs. 19 ± 0.3 cows; P < 0.001) differed among locations. Additionally, the number of birds present (1 ± 0.07 vs 41 ± 6.7 birds; P < 0.001) and the number of birds eating at the feed bunk (1 ± 0.03 vs. 28 ± 5.01 birds; P < 0.001) differed among locations. However, no significant relationship was detected between the number of birds and the number of cows eating at any given time (13 ± 0.4 cows; P = 0.91). Determining bird preferences for feeding location will aid in developing effective deterrence methods and minimize economic losses on farms.
Key Words: fecal pathogen, feeding behavior, wild birds
