The reactivity of primiparous goats during milking can significantly affect animal welfare and performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the progression of milking reactivity during lactation and its effects at early lactation on milk yield, milk quality, and plasma cortisol concentration in primiparous Saanen goats. The milking reactivity of 31 primiparous Saanen goats was evaluated on days 10, 30, and 60 of the lactation period by scoring step-kick behavior (SK) and head, ear, and tail movements (MOV). Milk yield, milk protein and fat percentages, somatic cell count (SCC), and plasma cortisol concentration were measured on day 10 of lactation. Goats’ milking reactivity was classified as low or high (according to the SK and MOV scores measured on day 10 of lactation). SK and MOV scores decreased over the lactation period, indicating that the goats habituated to the milking procedures. Milking reactivity only affected milk fat percentage, with the less reactive goats having more milk fat than the highly reactive ones. There was no evidence of stress when goats were subjected to milking procedures during early lactation. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationships of milking reactivity with stress response and their effects on milk yield and quality.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tactile stimulation on the reactivity and performance of Brahman calves. One hundred and nine calves were randomly assigned to two treatments: calves that received tactile stimulation (TS, n = 57) and those that did not (NTS, n = 52). Tactile stimulation was performed for eight minutes, 12 hours after birth. The behavioral variables were collected at weaning (209.50 ± 55.83 days) by assigning reactivity scores in the squeeze chute, which ranged from one to five (one was assigned to a calm calf and five to the most reactive). A flight speed score was assigned when each calf exited the squeeze chute. Performance was assessed using the adjusted weaning weight (WW) and daily weight gain (ADG). TS female calves showed lower reactivity scores in the squeeze chute (p < 0.05) and when leaving it (p < 0.05) than NTS calves, but no significant differences were observed in male calves between the treatments (p > 0.05). WW and GMD did not differ between the treatments (p > 0.05). In conclusion, tactile stimulation performed in Brahman’s calves at birth resulted in less reactivity in female calves without affecting their performance.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sex and individual variation on the behavioural responses and performance of Simbrah bovines subjected to a habituation process to human interaction and exposure training. Nineteen animals were used (8 females and 11 males). Reactivity was assessed through points in the restraint cage (1-5), a score for cage exit speed (1-2), and body weight in five assessments over 86 days. Linear mixed models and the effect of individual variations were adopted through a linear regression for each animal, using the b coefficients to classify the animals as habituated, neutral and sensitized. The sex of the animal did not affect the reactivity in the restraint cage, or the cage exit speed (p>0.05); however, reactivity decreased from day 16 (p<0.05) in relation to day 0 in both reactivity scores. There were individual differences in reactivity in the restraint cage and in body weight. On this, 74% of the animals became accustomed to the handling procedure, 21% showed neutral responses in the restraint challenge and 5% were sensitized. In turn, all animals gained weight at different levels, with positive, significant b coefficients (p0.70. In conclusion, the process of habituation to human interaction and exposure training consistently reduced the reactivity of the animals, without altering their productive performance; however, individual differences must be considered during handling procedures.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tactile stimulation on the welfare of goat kids. Thirty-six goat kids were allocated into three treatments as follows: TSG = taking the goat kids out of the cage every day when they received tactile stimulation, RCG = taking the goat kids out of the cage for 5 s, and NRS = not taking the goat kids out of the cage nor receiving tactile stimulation. TSG goat kids received tactile stimulation once a day, for two minutes, from the 3rd to the 40th day. Goat kids' welfare was assessed by considering performance, health, and behavioral indicators. During the voluntary approach test, 96.5% of the goat kids voluntarily approached familiar and unfamiliar humans. There were significant effects only on the interaction between treatment and age on time spent in the corners and time playing (KW = 27.54 and 47.83, p < 0.01, respectively). We conclude that tactile stimulation did not affect any of the welfare indicators addressed in this study.

A estimulação tátil é definida como o contato manual ou mecânico entre dois ou mais indivíduos, sejam da mesma espécie ou de espécies diferentes, sendo classificada como positiva, neutra ou negativa, dependendo de sua natureza. As interações positivas entre humanos e animais têm recebido maior atenção devido ao seu potencial para melhorar o bem-estar animal. Evidências científicas indicam que a estimulação tátil positiva pode trazer benefícios a curto e longo prazo para os animais de produção, especialmente quando realizada em idade precoce, tornando-os mais capazes de enfrentar os desafios ambientais, o que pode melhorar a sua saúde e desempenho. Além dos benefícios para os animais, a adoção da estimulação tátil, entre outras boas práticas de manejo, tem potencial para reduzir as perdas de produção e o risco de acidentes entre os trabalhadores, além de tornar o trabalho mais eficiente. Vale ressaltar que esta prática também oferece a oportunidade de melhorar a imagem das cadeias produtivas da pecuária e representa uma valiosa contribuição para a promoção da sustentabilidade do setor pecuário. Portanto, todos os envolvidos na produção animal são responsáveis por melhorar as interações homem-animal através da implementação de boas práticas de manejo.