INFLUENCE OF BREED AND REARING MANAGEMENT ON CATTLE REACTIONS DURING HUMAN HANDLING

The influence of breed and rearing conditions on human-cattle relationships during the first 3 months after birth was investigated by studying the responses to handling of French Salers (n = 42) and Limousin calves (n = 41), reared in range (n = 41) or traditional conditions (n = 42). The animals were individually tested at 4 and 8 months of age, after a pasture period during which they had little contact with humans. Handling tests included separation from the social group and restraint in the corner of a pen. Traditionally reared animals were easier to handle (restrained more quickly in the corner) at 4 months old (P < 0.01) and at 8 months old (P < 0.01), more motionless during the test at 4 months old (P < 0.01) and 8 months old (P < 0.01), and, unlike the range calves (11 aggressive animals), were never aggressive towards humans (P < 0.01). The only significant difference between the two breeds was that Salers calves remained motionless longer at 8 months of age than Limousin animals in the test situation (P < 0.01). However, the difference in aggressiveness towards humans between heifers of different Limousin sires was significant (P < 0.05). The influence of a genetic component on the animals' perception of humans, the quality and the extent of contact with the animals and the importance of the first 3 months of life for the establishment of human-cattle relationships are discussed.