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| Abnormal Behaviour in Farm Animals |
The reason behind such kind of abnormalities or abnormal behaviour is stressful condition and prolonged sickness. Abnormal behaviour is not only detrimental to the animal itself but to others also. It can be used to identify illness, stress, inadequate nutrition and other problems. A few common abnormal behaviours observed in farm animals are as follows.
1. Coprophagia
It refers to the eating of faeces of animals by other animals.
2. Excessive Licking
Calves develop this kind of behaviour when they are housed together with a group of animal. Sometimes they even lick the walls, floors and other objects.
3. Pica
Eating the material other than the feed such as paper, plastic, metal and stones.
4. Crib-biting
Biting an object mindlessly
5. Nymphomania
Increased demand for sex. Sometimes cows act like a bull.
6. Aggression
Bulls are unpredictable in nature and they show aggression if they perceive someone as a threat. This can result in injury if they are not dehorned.
7. Kicking
Sometimes in pain, cattle generally start kicking.
8. Reluctance to Enter the Milking Parlour
This problem is related to poor cattle management. When they are well fed or they had a traumatic experience like mastitis, electric shock or punishment from the handler, they became reluctant to enter the milking parlour.
9. Food Throwing
The cause behind food throwing is not well understood, but many say they do this to fly away from the parasitic biting flies.
10. Geophagia
Eating soil. This can arise mainly due to nutrient deficient food.