Impact of Novelty, Bull Rearing, and Animal Vision
At 8:05 in
Temple Grandin: Livestock Handling Expert | Inspiring Conversations about Animal Welfare
What happens here
Dr. Grandin warns against sudden, intermittent noises and 'new stuff' abruptly introduced to animals. She explains that novelty can be attractive if animals are allowed to voluntarily approach it, suggesting placing new items like flags in a pasture and letting them investigate. The problem arises when novelty suddenly appears in their face, causing flighty animals to react strongly. She discusses the danger of hand-reared bulls raised in isolation from other cattle, as they don't learn bovine social rules and may become aggressive towards humans when sexually mature. She advocates for raising young bulls in social groups with other cattle to teach them appropriate behavior. She highlights that grazing animals like cattle and horses have horizontal, strip-shaped pupils, allowing them to scan the horizon for predators while grazing. This means they will lift their heads quickly if they perceive a threat. Additionally, she clarifies that cattle and horses are partially colorblind, not seeing red, but having excellent night vision.
Goal: Discuss specific stressors for animals and their sensory capabilities