Maladaptive Behaviours In Farm Animals-A Review Paper

Authors: Nakiyijja Deo Angella and Onjoro Paul*

DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000675

Volume 9, Issue 2

Abstract

Maladaptive behaviors are diverse repetitive, pointless or harmful actions that are performed by normal animals in abnormal environment. They may also be defined as individual or social actions that are destructive, disturbing and compromising to physiological, psychological and general well-being of livestock. They are also defined as untypical reaction to a particular combination of stimuli. Maladaptive behaviors usually occur when an animal is in a stressful or unsuitable environment often due to confinement or poor management. They may also be indicators of underlying illness or psychological distress. These usually develop as a mechanism of coping to stress, frustration or lack of species-specific environment. These behaviors usually differ in pattern, frequency and context in which certain species employ them. Before the identification of the abnormal behaviors, the normal way of behaving in the various species must carefully be studied. Some contributing factors to these behaviors as identified in various literature include; overcrowding of animals, lack of certain nutrients in the diet, isolation, underlying health issues, mimicry, maternal deprivation in early stages of life, genetics, temperament, among others that will be discussed broadly later on in this review. Furthermore, maladaptive behaviors are classified into, stereotypies, compulsive, redirected, displacement behaviors depending on the factor triggering it. Examples of such include; cannibalism, feather-pecking in poultry, tail and ear biting in swine, chewing objects and bar-biting in goats, tongue-rolling, licking and biting of random objects in cows, hair-pulling in donkeys, among others. This review paper focuses on the forms of maladaptive behaviors in various animal species, their predisposing factors, their identification and how best they can be managed to maintain optimum productivity. It also synthesizes current knowledge, underlying mechanisms, species-specific manifestations and evidence-based management strategies.

Keywords: Maladaptive; Stress; Adaptation; Normal; Abnormal

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