Reduction of farm relocation stress by a dietary supplement in pregnant heifers

Abstract

The main stressors for animals transferred to a new farm are the transport, the regrouping, the change in housing and feeding and in general the unfamiliar environment. This means that relocated animals are exposed to acute as well as chronic stress factors. Several studies have shown that physical and psychological stresses are frequent cause of increasing incidence of infectious diseases in animals as cited by Bertoni (1999). Moreover, the inflammatory response to infections, although an essential part of the immune function, increases the risk of immunosuppression.......

Keywords

• relocation stress, welfare, immunonutrition, heifer