Evaluating the temporal and situational consistency of personality traits in adult dairy cattle

Abstract

Recent research suggests that personality, defined as consistent individual behavioral variation, in farm animals could be an important factor when considering their health, welfare, and productivity. However, behavioral tests are often performed individually and they might not reflect the behavioral differences manifested in every-day social environments. Furthermore, the contextual and longer-term temporal stability of personality traits have rarely been investigated in adult dairy cattle. In this study, we tested three groups of lactating Holstein cows (40 cows) using an individual arena test and a novel object test in groups to measure the contextual stability of behavior. Among the recorded individual test parameters, we used seven in the final analysis, which were determined by a systematic parameter reduction procedure. We found positive correlations between novel object contact duration in the group test and individual test parameters object contact duration (Rs = 0.361, P = 0.026) and movement duration (Rs = 0.336, P = 0.039). Both tests were repeated 6 months later to investigate their temporal stability whereby four individual test parameters were repeatable. There was no consistency in the group test results for 25 cows tested twice, possibly due to group composition changes. Furthermore, based on the seven individual test parameters, two personality traits (activity/exploration and boldness) were identified by principal component analysis. We found a positive association between the first and second tests for activity/exploration (Rs = 0.334, P = 0.058) and for boldness (Rs = 0.491, P = 0.004). Our results support the multidimensional nature of personality in adult dairy cattle and they indicate a link between behavior in individual and within-group situations. The lack of stability according to the group test results implies that group companions might have a stronger influence on individual behavior than expected. We suggest repeating the within-group behavioral measurements to study the relationship between the social environment and the manifestation of personality traits in every-day situations.

Long-term consistency of personality traits of cattle

“…The underlying structure of the behavioural responses to each of the novelty tests comprised two main PCA components, which we interpreted as reflecting the personality traits 'boldness' and 'explorationactivity'. These traits have also been identified in dairy calves [20,22,24] and cows [21,31] with reasonable temporal stability using similar tests (although see [32] reporting low stability of behaviours in novelty tests over a short period of 1-3 weeks in calves). In our study, the 'boldness' trait had similarly high loadings for behaviours related to approach and contact with the novel human and object across the early (pre-to post-weaning) and later (puberty to lactation) periods of development; this suggests high royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rsos R. Soc.…”

“…The 'exploration-activity' trait had more moderate structural consistency over time, because high loadings were typically observed for at least two of the exploratory, locomotion, inactivity or attentive behaviours, but not necessarily the same behaviours across all periods. Foris et al [21] found moderate stability of 'boldness/shyness' trait, and weak stability of 'exploratory/ activity' trait in dairy cattle over a period of six months during lactation, which may be because the novel PCA coordinates (pre-weaning) PCA coordinates (post-weaning) -…”

“…propensity to seek contact with or remain close to conspecifics [1]); these traits are typically inferred by observing behavioural responses to novelty or isolation in standardized tests [19]. Studies of dairy cattle have shown shortterm consistency in individual responses towards a novel human or object as calves (measured three weeks apart before two months of age; [20]) and as lactating adults (measured six months apart; [21]). Others have reported consistency in these behavioural responses over longer periods of time, such as from three weeks to six months of age [22,23], from 3 to 7 months of age [24] and from 7 to 24 months of age [25].…”

Review: Application and Prospective Discussion of Machine Learning for the Management of Dairy Farms

“…They found that animals only formed clusters within the specific animal and showed only little social stability within the herd structure. Contrarily, Foris et al [ 84 ] demonstrated that cows formed relatively stable contact networks, and that these contact networks can influence the individual cows reactions within the group [ 85 ]. ML could offer the opportunity to continuously monitor the stability of such groups and their effect on affective state or physiological parameters.…”

Influence of Exercise Enrichment on Feedlot Cattle Behaviour and the Human–Animal Relationship

“…On d41, 60 and 79, a novel person test, which is a new method adapted from previous studies that expose both wildlife [19,20] and domestic species [21,22] to novel objects, and avoidance test were conducted on cattle while in their home pens, between 0730-1100hr. Prior to the novel person test, three Inca 4K Action Cameras were placed on pen corners and left to film for 10min, with this footage analysed with a species-specific ethogram capturing posture and activity.…”