>>10689320'Cattle are social animals and have evolved to live in herds in a strategy to reduce
the risk of predation. Grazing in open areas increases the risk of predation, and
group living increases the likelihood of predator detection to compensate. Another
protective element of herds – the rapid flight or stampede of large numbers of
animals – confuses predators during attack. The opportunity of members of a herd
learning survival tactics is also increased through social facilitation.
Importantly, this evolution of social behaviour means that isolation is
particularly stressful to cattle. Isolation can cause animals to be distressed and
panic, increasing the likelihood of injury to both the individual and handler. The
effect of isolation is additive or compounding, with animals being more stressed
during husbandry procedures when isolated. Therefore, it is always best to keep
several animals together during activities like veterinary treatment, artificial
insemination or movement from one place to another."
"Cattle have similar mechanisms for sensing pain as humans do, with responses
increasing with the magnitude and duration of the stimuli. Situations cattle are in
can influence their responsiveness to pain. Pain is reduced in cattle kept with herd
mates (known as conspecifics) and greater when cows are isolated. Being aware of
this factor when conducting any painful husbandry practices is important.
Cattle are less expressive of pain and injury than humans. This is an evolved
mechanism, with it being disadvantageous for prey animals to express pain or
weakness, as weakness makes them an easier target for predators (Phillips 2002).
Therefore, the behavioural indicators of pain that cattle do express are subtle. An
animal experiencing pain has compromised welfare, and consequences to their
health and productivity are also likely."
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