Document Type

Honors Thesis

Date of Award

Spring 2024

Abstract

Flight zones can be described as the personal space bubble of cattle. Cattle will make attempts to retain this personal space bubble when being approached in a pasture setting. Flight zone distance can be used by producers to understand cattle temperament. A larger flight zone may indicate a more excitable temperament. In this study female cattle aged 1-12 were approached on foot, by utility vehicle and by feed truck in a pasture setting to record their flight zone. This study evaluated how differing methods of approach affect the flight zone. Low stress handling was the method of approach taken to limit variability during data collection. Observers practiced low stress handling methods by approaching cattle slowly from the shoulder after making eye contact with cattle. Flight zone was deemed measurable when cattle made significant (3-5) quick steps away from the handler. Results concluded that cattle approached on a utility vehicle (3.4 ± 4.1), or feed truck (1.2 ± 6.7), had a smaller flight zone than cattle approached on foot (19 ± 12.5) respectively p= 0.368. Future work in animal flight zones and its implication of animal temperament, can help develop specific and targeted measures to increase overall animal welfare for producers.

Advisor

Jared Mumm

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