Individuality and Learnt Behaviour And How It Might Influence Decisions Regarding Preparation And Administering Of Cattle Treatments

Temperamental dams tend to produce temperamental offspring. There is no doubt that genetics play an important role in this behavioural pattern. Some breeds are thus known to “be difficult”. Even individual animals in a ‘tame” herd can be temperamental.

The second factor determining the animal’s individual behaviour is learning. A skittish cow trains her calf to be afraid. A wild animal, in a placid herd, very soon upsets the others, and they become excitable and restless. Learning also plays a role in the animal’s willingness to enter a stressful area. Thus, if an animal was previously hurt (e.g. injected) in a crush, it is less willing to enter the crush in future.