Abstract: Understanding cognition, the mechanisms by which animals acquire, process, store, and act on information from the environment is important because it can provide insight into animal’s affective and welfare state. In farm animals it may have links to production parameters of value but for this possibility to be explored cognitive ability have to be first established in the animals. Four breeds of sheep (n=15/breed) were subjected to two operant learning tasks using visual stimuli in an operant system to test their cognitive abilities in two experiments. Data on the response time, response time during right (I-R) and left (I-L) screen image presentations, number first time correct choice and number of corrections required to complete the task were collected and subjected to ANOVA. In experiment I, significant differences (p<0.01) in response time was found between breeds and also during right or left screen image presentations. However in experiment II, there was no significant difference between breeds in response time to complete task. Suffolk ewes made significantly (p<0.05) higher number of accurate responses and required fewer corrections in completing the task than the other breeds. There was also significant differences between sessions in response times, accurate responses, and corrections required to complete the task. The results demonstrate that ewes of the four breeds can master the cognitive task over time albeit at different rates. Tests of cognition in livestock may have application in animal welfare, but more systematic studies are needed to explore possible links with production traits.
Keywords: cognitive ability, breed, stimulus, learning task.
Title: Cognitive Ability in Four Breeds of Domestic Sheep
Author: Mohammed Umar Ali
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
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