FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / J Equine Sci / Influence of season on daytime behavioral activities of donk...
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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2016-02-03 PubMed ID: 26858575PubMed Central: PMC4739140DOI: 10.1294/jes.26.105Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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.

References

This article includes 43 references
  1. Aganga AA, Tsopito CM. A note on the feeding behaviour of domestic donkeys: a Botswana case study. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 1998;60:235–239.
  2. Altmann J. Observational study of behavior: sampling methods.. Behaviour 1974;49(3):227-67.
    pubmed: 4597405doi: 10.1163/156853974x00534google scholar: lookup
  3. Armstrong DV. Heat stress interaction with shade and cooling.. J Dairy Sci 1994 Jul;77(7):2044-50.
    pubmed: 7929964doi: 10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(94)77149-6google scholar: lookup
  4. Arnold W, Ruf T, Reimoser S, Tataruch F, Onderscheka K, Schober F. Nocturnal hypometabolism as an overwintering strategy of red deer (Cervus elaphus).. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2004 Jan;286(1):R174-81.
    pubmed: 12969877doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00593.2002google scholar: lookup
  5. Ayo JO, Oladele SB, Fayomi A. Behavioural reactions of cattle to stress situations: a review. J. Agric. Technol. 2002;8:15–20.
  6. Bi JH, Hu DF, Ding Y, Si XY, Jiang ZG. Time budget and behavior pattern of Asiatic wild ass. Chin. J. Zool. 2007;42:51–56.
  7. Blench R. The history and spread of donkeys in Africa. 2004;p.244.
  8. Brinkmann L, Gerken M, Riek A. Adaptation strategies to seasonal changes in environmental conditions of a domesticated horse breed, the Shetland pony (Equus ferus caballus).. J Exp Biol 2012 Apr 1;215(Pt 7):1061-8.
    pubmed: 22399650doi: 10.1242/jeb.064832google scholar: lookup
  9. Canacoo EA, Avornyo FK. Daytime activities of donkeys at range in the coastal savanna of Ghana. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 1998;60:229–234.
  10. Christensen JW, Zharkikh T, Ladewig J, Yasinetskaya N. Social behaviour in stallion groups (Equus przewalskii and Equus caballus) kept under natural and domestic conditions. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2002;76:11–20.
  11. Cosyns E, Degezelle T, Demeulenaere E, Hoffmann M. Feeding ecology of Konik horses and donkeys in Belgian coastal dunes and its implications for nature management. Belg. J. Zool. 2001;131:111–118.
  12. D’Alessandro AG, Martemucci G, Casamassima D. Behavioural profile during suckling period in Martina Franca breed jennies reared under semi-extensive conditions. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2007;106:107–124.
  13. Daly EW, Johnson PT. Beyond immunity: quantifying the effects of host anti-parasite behavior on parasite transmission.. Oecologia 2011 Apr;165(4):1043-50.
    pubmed: 20857146doi: 10.1007/s00442-010-1778-ygoogle scholar: lookup
  14. Duncan P. Time-budgets of the Camargue horses: environment influences. Behav. 1980;72:26–48.
  15. Etim NN, Williams ME, Evans EI, Offiong EE. Physiological and behavioural responses of farm animals to stress: Implications to animal productivity. Am. J. Adv. Agric. Res. 2013;1:53–61.
  16. Fernando P, Starkey P. Donkeys and development: socio-economic aspects of donkey use in Africa. 2000;pp.31–44.
  17. Fielding D, Krause P. The Tropical Agriculturalist-donkeys. 1998;p.119.
  18. Goergen R. Life on the edge. New Sci. 2001;2305:30–33.
  19. Grønli J, Murison R, Bjorvatn B, Sørensen E, Portas CM, Ursin R. Chronic mild stress affects sucrose intake and sleep in rats.. Behav Brain Res 2004 Apr 2;150(1-2):139-47.
    pubmed: 15033287doi: 10.1016/s0166-4328(03)00252-3google scholar: lookup
  20. Hemsworth PH, Aland A, Madec F. Impact of human-animal interactions on the health, productivity and welfare of farm animals. 2009;p.27.
  21. Houpt KA. Thirst of horses: the physiological and psychological causes. Equine Pract 1987;9:28–30.
  22. Kimura R. Mutual grooming and preffered associate relationship in a band of free- ranging horses. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 1998;59:265–276.
  23. Koolhaas JM, de Boer SF, Buwalda B. Stress and adaptation toward ecologically relevant animal models. Curr. Dir. Psychol. Sci. 2006;15:109–112.
  24. Lamoot I, Callebaut J, Demeulenaere E, Vandenberghe C, Hoffmann M. Foraging behaviour of donkeys grazing in a coastal dune area in temperate climate conditions. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2005;92:93–112.
  25. Mader TL, Davis MS, Brown-Brandl T. Environmental factors influencing heat stress in feedlot cattle.. J Anim Sci 2006 Mar;84(3):712-9.
    pubmed: 16478964doi: 10.2527/2006.843712xgoogle scholar: lookup
  26. Martin P, Bateson P. Measuring behaviour. 2007;pp.121–127.
  27. Menard C, Duncan P, Fleurence G, Georges JY, Lila M. Comparative foraging and nutrition of horses and cattle in European wetland. J. Appl. Ecol. 2002;39:120–133.
  28. McDonnell S. The Equid Ethogram, a Practical Field Guide to Horse Behaviour. 2003;pp.23–89.
  29. Minka NS, Ayo JO. Effect of shade provision on some physiological parameters, behaviour and performance of pack donkeys (Equus asinus) during the hot-dry season. J. Equine Sci. 2007;18:39–46.
  30. Moehlman PD. Behavioural patterns and communication in feral asses (Equus africanus). Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 1998;60:125–169.
  31. National Equine Welfare Council. Equine industry welfare guidelines. 2005;pp.1–19.
  32. Pearson RA, Archibald RF, Muirhead RH. The effect of forage quality and level of feeding on digestibility and gastrointestinal transit time of oat straw and alfalfa given to ponies and donkeys.. Br J Nutr 2001 May;85(5):599-606.
    pubmed: 11348575doi: 10.1079/bjn2001321google scholar: lookup
  33. Ransom JI, Cade BS. Quantifying Equid Behaviour- A Research Ethogram for Free-roaming Feral Horses. 2009;p.21.
  34. Sainsbury DWB. Housing the donkey. 1986;pp.58–75.
  35. Salimei E, Fantuz F. Equid milk for human consumption. Int. Dairy J. 2012;24:130–142.
  36. Scaglia G, Boland HT. The effect of bermudagrass hybrid on forage characteristics, animal performance, and grazing behavior of beef steers.. J Anim Sci 2014 Mar;92(3):1228-38.
    pubmed: 24496839doi: 10.2527/jas.2013-6959google scholar: lookup
  37. Souris AC, Kaczensky P, Julliard R, Walzer C. Time budget-, behavioral synchrony- and body score development of a newly released Przewalski's horse group Equus ferus przewalskii, in the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area in SW Mongolia.. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2007 Nov;107(3-4):307-321.
    pmc: PMC3207227pubmed: 22064904doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2006.09.023google scholar: lookup
  38. Starkey P, Starkey M. Regional and world trends in donkey populations. 2004.
  39. Waiblinger S, Menke C, Korff J, Bucher A. Previous handling and gentle interactions affect behaviour and heart rate of dairy cows during a veterinary procedure. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2004;85:31–42.
  40. Xia CJ, Yang WK, Blank D, Xu WX, Qiao JF, Liu W. Diurnal time budget of goitred gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) in Xiajiang, China. Acta Theirol. Sin. 2011;30:144–150.
  41. Xia C, Liu W, Xu W, Yang W, Xu F, Blank D. Diurnal time budgets and activity rhythm of the asiatic wild ass Equus hemionus in Xinjiang, Western China. Pak. J. Zool. 2013;45:1241–1248.
  42. Xu WX, Qiao JF, Liu W, Yang WK. Food habits of goitred gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa sarrensis) in Northern Xiajing, China. Acta Theriol. Sin. 2008;28:280–286.
  43. Yousef MK. Stress Physiology in Livestock. 1985;pp.3–7.

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
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.