JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7072
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASP
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasp@integrityresjournals.org
Understanding the behavioural response of three pre-slaughter cattle breeds in Bauchi Central Abattoir, Nigeria
https://doi.org/10.31248/JASP2025.555 | Article Number: 1B84714D2 | Vol.10 (6) - December 2025
Received Date: 25 November 2025 | Accepted Date: 23 December 2025 | Published Date: 30 December 2025
Authors: Yahaya B.* , Abdu I. , Iliyasu M. S. , Sa’id M. , Takko M. A. S. and Bala A.
Keywords: livestock, behaviour, lairage, scan sampling.
Livestock play a vital role in food production and are a major source of income in developing countries. Cattle are commonly slaughtered in abattoirs, where pre-slaughter handling and environmental conditions can significantly influence their behaviour. This study investigated the pre-slaughter behaviours of cattle at the Bauchi Central Abattoir. The cattle breeds assessed were White Fulani (WHF), Red Bororo (RBR) and Sokoto Gudali (SKG). Behavioural data were collected using scan sampling, while cattle breeds were selected through purposive sampling. Aggressive (AG) and calm (CA) behaviours were recorded at arrival, whereas lying-and-ruminating (LR), standing-and-ruminating (SR), standing (ST), resting (RT), eating (ET), defecating (DF) and urinating (UR) were observed five minutes after arrival (post arrival). The results showed AG (53.25%) and ST (41.19%) had the highest proportion among the observed behaviours. Positive coefficients were recorded for both AG and CA across all the breeds. Both behaviours were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by all the breeds, except AG in SKG and CA in RBR. Furthermore, all the breeds showed a positive influence on RT, ST and DF, whereas ET was negatively influenced. Irrespective of the breed, SR, LR and UR exhibited both positive and negative influences. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for ST across all breeds; for SR in RBR and SKG; for LR and RT in WHF; and for while UR in both WHF and RBR. It is concluded that WHF and RBR cattle breeds exert a greater influence on pre-slaughter behaviours than the SKG breed. These findings provide a foundation for future research aimed at investigating the relationship between pre-slaughter behaviours and post-slaughter meat quality. Therefore, studies examining the effects of stocking density and modes of transportation on cattle pre-slaughter behaviours are recommended.
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