Influence of weaning time on behaviour and performance of Arabian foals

Abstract EN

Ten Arabian foals aged 3-8 months, at private farm in Sharkia Province were used in this study, which continued from 1st of December 2003 till the end of June 2004.

The foals were divided into two equal groups of five foals each.

The animals in the first group were weaned at 3 months of age while, those in the second group were weaned normally at 5 months of age.

The first group foals spent less time in eating (43.32±5.22 vs 45.52±6.22% of their time), in standing rest and lying than the second group foals, but spent more time in standing alert (4.55±1.32 vs 4.12±1.53% of their time).

The foals of first group had a lower body weight gain during the period of study than that normally weaned foals.

The foals which weaned early at 3 months had engaged in stereotypies behaviour such as steps, head threat, bite threat, bite, kick threat and kick more than that foals which were weaned normally at 5 months, there was a significant difference in the level of cortisol hormone post-weaning between early weaned foals and normally weaned foals.

In conclusion weaning of foals at 5 months of age was less stressful, more comfort and achieve good welfare for foals than early weaning.