Reactivity of Nellore Cows in Corral Handling and Containment Chute

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the frequency of successive handlings in corral during animal restraint regarding herdsperson attitude and the reactivity/flight speed of animals, presence of hair whorls, the association between these characteristics and animal temperament. Fifty 30-40 months-old Nellore cows were divided in two groups: 1) with six handlings and 2) with two handlings. Animal reactivity during containment handling was evaluated through visual scores, presence or absence of hair whorls and their location on the face, as well as herdsperson attitude towards the animals. It was observed that among the management systems, herdsperson attitude, chute movement, body posture, tension, reactivity, and flight speed were influenced by the management systems, with less animals reactivity. No associations were found between presence, type, and size of hair whorl and animal reactivity and flight speed, as well as between successive handlings and the presence of kicking, mooing, and feces.