Is the Expression of Stereotypic Behavior a Performance Limiting Factor in Animals?

Stereotypical behavior (STB) has been observed in a wide range of species regardless of its classification. Despite extensive research into factors which contribute to the aetiology of STB and/or influence the expression of STB, few studies have explicitly evaluated if relationships exist between stereotypical behavior and performance variables in livestock or equine athletes. This review explores the impact of STBs on animal performance, using the horse and production animals as examples, to establish whether their expression should be viewed as a positive or negative attribute by the animal industry.
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Source Type: research