Is frequent handling with reinforcement effective in improvingmanagement practices for feedlot heifers?

Aim of study: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of frequent handling of feedlot female cattle todecrease animal handling time and stress indicators.Area of study: Brazil, São Paulo State.Material and methods: For four months, 90 Angus × Nellore crossbred cattle were evaluated, randomlydivided into eight lots, and subdivided into two groups: the control group was handled only on the days ofdata collection and weighing, every 28 days, while the frequent handled group was walked to the handlingarea every 10 days, then moved through all the handling facilities, and offered a reward at the end (cornmeal). During handling, rectal temperature and respiratory rate were recorded, and facial surfacetemperature measured using infrared thermography. After weighing, the animals’ reactivity was scoredfrom 1 (non-reactive) to 4 (highly reactive), and exit velocities were measured.Main results: A reduction in handling time was observed for both treatments (P<0.05) with lowerhandling time for frequent handling animals (P<0.05). Higher means of rectal temperature and respiratoryrate were observed in the control animals and in the final months (P<0.05). Exit velocity decreased over themonths (P<0.05), and reactivity score was higher for control animals (P<0.05). The temperature of themuzzle was significantly higher in the control group. Other variables, such as frontal temperature, left andright ear temperature, and eye temperature, were not affected by frequent handling (P>0.05).Research highlights: It can be concluded that frequent handling with positive waseffective in improving the handling of animals, reducing reactivity, and reduced the thermographict emperature of the muzzle.Animal welfare, chute management, emotional state, thermography temperature of the muzzle.