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Animal Behaviour
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When an observer is familiar with the normal behaviour of animals, he will be able to identify individuals that behave differently from the group or differently from the norm of the species.
When animals are kept in a restricted area they will compete for food and space. This may cause an injury that in turn will lead to the abnormal loss of weight. If an animal behaves abnormally, care must be taken to further access the cause thereof. Take care when approaching such an animal because it might be defensive or aggressive. Other indications of abnormal animal behaviour:
Territory
Most male farm animals are territorial and will fight for grazing- and breeding rights within their individual areas. It is not the behaviour of the animal that is abnormal when competing, but the secondary effects like injury, malnutrition and abnormally high levels of aggression and defensive behaviour.
Refusal to Eat
You also need to be looking at the cattle when you make a decision. If the bunk is empty (slick), do the cattle look like they are hungry, or do they look content? If they look content, wait for a second or third day of slick bunks before increasing the amount of feed. One cool night or a small front can cause steers to slick a bunk that normally would not be slick. Increasing the feed delivery may only cause them to back off feed in the next 2 to 3 days. If they truly appear hungry, increase the feed delivered 5 percent today and hold it there tomorrow to find out if they can actually handle the extra feed. If they do handle the feed, try increasing it again on the third day.