CONDICIONAMENTO E HABITUAÇÃO DE OVINOS MORADA NOVA PARA TESTES DE CALORIMETRIA INDIRETA COM USO DE MÁSCARAS FACIAIS

Abstract

The knowledge of animal behavior provides the optimization of the build system, improving aspects of their domestication and management, requiring the study of new research techniques in order to better understand the behavior, physiological and metabolic processes of animals aiming to improve production. Thus, the goal through the present work was to develop a methodology for habituation and conditioning breed sheep Morada Nova to indirect calorimetry tests with the use of facial masks. The experiment was conducted at the experimental station of São João do Cariri, CCA-UFPB. 25 sheep were used in which 15 less reactive sheep were selected, the collections took place in the mornings which were valued at containment trunks with use of facial mask. The variables analyzed were: respiratory rate, vocalization, posture and attempt to remove the head of the trunk. The data were submitted to deviance analysis, considering the negative binomial distribution for count data and the binomial distribution. The respiratory rate significantly responded in a linear fashion as a function of time the animals remain in the trunk, when compared before and after the rise of the animals to the trunk, the respiratory rate was lower after surfacing. For vocalization and attempts to withdraw the head of the stem has no significant effect. The containment of animals in trunks with face mask use shows significant results, has decreased aversive response and reduced respiratory rate.