PHYSIOLOGICAL-PARAMETERS AND LOCOMOTOR AC TIVITIES IN FLECKVIEH-HEIFERS AND FRIESIAN-HEIFERS ON AN ALPINE PASTURE

The investigation on an alpine pasture was performed on 15 heifers of the breeds Fleckvieh and Friesians from different farms. Some physiolo gical parameters and locomotor activities in dependence of breed, farm of origin and weather conditions were studied. Animals of one farm we re pastured in spring, the animals of the other farm were brought dire ctly from the barn to the mountain area.Physiological parameters were influenced by farm, but not by breed. The activities of GOT and CK inc reased in unprepared heifers only (due to the release from sceletal mu scels) as did levels of free fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate obvi ously due to adaption-difficulties linked with energy-deficiency. Pre- pastured animals showed higher blood-urea concentrations, due to their ability to locate always fresh gras with high protein content. The br eed influence on the daily number of steps and on the distance covered was statistically not significant. Animals already pastured in spring showed more movement than unprepared ones, Among weather conditions t hunderstorm showed a striking increase in activity which resulted from the search for shelter. On rainy days without wind the animals showed least movement. Clowdy, dry weather as well as sunshine was associate d with average activity. These reactions to metereological conditions were manifested more clearly in prepared heifers. The other animals ob viously had to learn first how to minimize untoward effects by suitabl e behaviour.-