ERU: Animal Management

Question 1

Target weight and age for dairy heifers at first breeding

Answer 1

15m at 55-60% of mature body weight

Question 2

Secondary signs of oestrus (cows)

Answer 2

• Increasing restlessness
• Rub chin on tails of other heifers in heat
• May mount others in heat
• Increase calling

Question 3

Primary signs of oestrus (cows)

Answer 3

• STAND TO BE MOUNTED
• Call a lot
• Very restless
• Bulling string of mucus from vulva

Question 4

How long do cows show signs of oestrus and when should they be served?

Answer 4

Show oestrus for 1-2hr, served 12hrs after to coincide with ovulation

Question 5

1st stage of birth (cows/sheep)

Answer 5

Up to 24hr
- Tail lifting
- Contractions/ abdominal heaving
- Amniotic sac appears

Question 6

2nd stage of birth (cows/ sheep)

Answer 6

30min-1hr
- Amniotic fluid
- Calf appears

Question 7

3rd stage of birth (cows/sheep)

Answer 7

• Foetal membranes passed (24hr)
• Lochia (placental and foetal remains) - 2weeks
• Uterus shrinks and normal oestrus returns

Question 8

Voluntary wait period length

Answer 8

42 days

Question 9

Metritis

Answer 9

Uterine infection

Question 10

Rabbit age of sexual maturity

Answer 10

4-6m (breed dependent)

Question 11

Guinea pig age of sexual maturity

Answer 11

9-10wks for male, 4-6wks for female

Question 12

Hamster, rat and mouse age of sexual maturity

Answer 12

6-8wks

Question 13

How to sex guinea pigs

Answer 13

Males preputial orifice forms “i” and penis can be extruded. Females form “y”

Question 14

How to sex rabbits

Answer 14

Males preputial orifice is round, penis can be extruded. Females have slit-like vaginal opening.

Question 15

Rabbit oestrus cycle

Answer 15

• Non seasonal, polyestrous, induced ovulators
• Receptive every 14-16 days
• Gestation around 30 days

Question 16

Guinea pigs oestrus cycle

Answer 16

• Non seasonal polyestrous, spontaneous ovulators
• Oestrus every 15-17 days
• Gestation 63 days

Question 17

What needs to happen during guinea pig partuition?

Answer 17

Separation of 2 halves of pelvis at public symphysis (large precocial pups).
Young sow symphysis is fibrocartilagenous w/relaxin but old sow has calcified symphysis.

Question 18

Rodents oestrus cycle

Answer 18

• Non seasonal, polyestrous, spontaneous
• Oestrus every 4-6 days
• Gestation 2-3 wks

Question 19

Why do bitches and queens get pseudopregnanicies?

Answer 19

Luteal phase is approx the same length as pregnancy.

Question 20

How long are bitches in oestrus for?

Answer 20

5-9 days

Question 21

How long are queens in oestrus for?

Answer 21

3-14 days

Question 22

Pregnancy length for bitches and queens

Answer 22

65 days

Question 23

What maintains progesterone secretion in bitches and queens?

Answer 23

Leutotropic factors

Question 24

When should you worm bitches and queens for GI ascardis?

Answer 24

from day 42. Pass transplacentally, through milk and faeces.

Question 25

Labour stages (bitches/queens)

Answer 25

Stage 1: Uterine contractions-> Full cervical dilation (24hr) Stage 2-3: Birth + expulsion of placenta (10-30mins active straining, up to 4 hrs between young)

Question 26

Genetic index

Answer 26

Data of traits/genes that measures animal's ability to pass down those traits

Question 27

Progeny testing

Answer 27

Dairy bull's genetic index calculated through daughters performance (takes a lot of time)

Question 28

Genomics

Answer 28

Take genes and predict outcome before birth (better than parent average but less reliable than progeny)

Question 29

Recessive diseases in HF

Answer 29

- Complex vertebral malformation - Brachyspina - Fertility Haplotypes

Question 30

Estimated breeding values (EBV)

Answer 30

- Predicts superiority/inferiority of genes of specific trait - Compare within species