Effect of space allowance on the Growth Performance, Behavioral Characteristics, and Blood Properties of Hanwoo

초록

This research was conducted to compare and analyze the effect of the space allowance on theproductivity, behavior, and blood properties of Hanwoo in order to achieve the status ofadvanced country for the animal husbandry in accordance with global trends, and with the targetof animal welfare production through the practice of environmentally friendly animal husbandry. Fattening cows (352kg) of an average of 43 months in age and with growing steers (225kg)aged six months were tested with two replications upon categorizing the animals into controlgroup (8m2/heads) and treatment group (4m2/heads). Feeding was executed according to theprescription in the Hanwoo feeding management. The growth performances (BW, ADG, andFCR) were significantly improved in cow fattening as space allowance was narrower. Similarresults were obtained from the growing steers. The behavioral characteristics of lying andwalking were significantly higher in the control group (p<0.05), while standing was foundsignificantly higher (p<0.01) in the treatment group. The lying duration did not show significantdifference in the fattening cows. Meanwhile, walking time was significantly longer (p<0.01) inthe control group among fattening cows whereas standing duration was significantly higher(p<0.05) in the treatment group. As for properties of blood component, the cortisol value wassignificantly higher (p<0.05) in the treatment group for the fattened cows. The experiment results imply that the space of 8 m2 / head would be adequate in theproduction of fattening cows and growing steers based on growth performances, behavioralcharacteristics, and blood component, and considering the space allowance per head in the pen. The results could be utilized as basic data for environmentally friendly and welfare typeHanwoo production system in the future.

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