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Journal of equine science2016; 26(4); 105-111; doi: 10.1294/jes.26.105

Influence of season on daytime behavioral activities of donkeys in the Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria.

Abstract: The present experiment was performed with the aim of investigating the effect of season on behavioral activities of donkeys during the rainy and harmattan seasons in the Northern Guinea zone of Nigeria. Sixteen apparently healthy donkeys were used as subjects and divided into four groups based on age. During each season, behavioral activities of each donkey were evaluated for three weeks using the focal animal sampling technique. The dry-bulb temperature (DBT), relative humidity (RH), and temperature-humidity index (THI) were obtained three times each day during the experimental period using standard procedures. In the rainy season, the mean DBT (31.65 ± 0.49°C), RH (73.63 ± 1.09%), and THI (84.39 ± 0.71) were significantly (P<0.0001) higher than the corresponding values of 24.00 ± 0.44°C, 36.80 ± 0.92%, and 64.80 ± 0.62 in the harmattan season. During the rainy season, the donkeys spent 60.00 ± 0.77%, 25.40 ± 0.69%, and 2.94 ± 0.21% on grazing, resting, and grooming, respectively. During the harmattan season, the donkeys spent the most time on grazing (76.76 ± 0.43%), less time on resting (11.97 ± 0.38%), and the least time on grooming (0.89 ± 0.05%). In conclusion, season and seasonal variations affect the daytime behavioral activities of donkeys in the zone, and this should be considered in husbandry practices for donkeys.
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Publication Date: 2016-02-03 PubMed ID: 26858575PubMed Central: PMC4739140DOI: 10.1294/jes.26.105Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research looked into how the behavior of donkeys in the Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria is influenced by the seasons, specifically during the rainy and harmattan (dry, dust-laden wind) seasons. It was discovered that seasonal changes significantly impacted the donkeys’ routines, with further recommendation for these variations to be considered in animal husbandry practices.

Research Methodology

  • For this study, sixteen seemingly healthy donkeys were chosen and categorized into four groups based on their ages.
  • Their behavior was observed for three weeks in each season using the focal animal sampling method, a common technique used in ethology (animal behavior studies) to collect behavioral data.
  • Data concerning the Dry-bulb temperature (DBT), Relative Humidity (RH), and Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) were recorded thrice daily during the experiment using recognized procedures.

Findings & Analysis

  • The mean temperature, relative humidity, and temperature-humidity index were higher in the rainy season compared to the harmattan season. Both the temperature and humidity were found to be statistically significantly different between the two seasons.
  • During the rainy season, donkeys spent most of their time grazing, followed by resting, and grooming the least.
  • The behavior changed notably during the harmattan season, with donkeys investing more time into grazing, less time resting, and an even smaller part of their time to grooming.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that the season and seasonal variation has an influence on the daily behaviors of donkeys in the Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria.
  • The researchers suggested that these seasonal alterations in behavior should be taken into account in practices related to donkey care and husbandry for the betterment of their overall health and productivity.

Cite This Article

APA
Zakari FO, Ayo JO, Rekwot PI, Kawu MU. (2016). Influence of season on daytime behavioral activities of donkeys in the Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria. J Equine Sci, 26(4), 105-111. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.26.105

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 26
Issue: 4
Pages: 105-111

Researcher Affiliations

Zakari, Friday Ocheja
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1045, Zaria, Nigeria.
Ayo, Joseph Olusegun
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1045, Zaria, Nigeria.
Rekwot, Peter Ibrahim
  • National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1096, Zaria, Nigeria.
Kawu, Mohammed Umar
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1045, Zaria, Nigeria.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Navas González FJ, Jordana Vidal J, Pizarro Inostroza G, Arando Arbulu A, Delgado Bermejo JV. Can Donkey Behavior and Cognition Be Used to Trace Back, Explain, or Forecast Moon Cycle and Weather Events?. Animals (Basel) 2018 Nov 19;8(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani8110215pubmed: 30463193google scholar: lookup
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