Docility tests were performed over 3 yr on 906 Limousin heifers sired
by 34 males. The heifers were tested individually when they were 10 to
11 mo old in a pen with a handler who had 2 min to lead the animal to
a corner, keep it there for 30 consecutive seconds, and then to strok
e it. Behaviors of the animals were recorded and scores calculated. Th
e first score (docility score) was a continuous variable combining the
greatest possible information. The second score (docility criterion)
was a categorical trait with four classes. Tests were performed by sev
en different handlers. The effects of handler, year, birth period, dam
parity, birth region, husbandry system, and sire were estimated. Hand
lers, birth period, husbandry system, and sire had significant effects
. In particular, animals that were managed indoors were more docile th
an those reared out-of-doors at least part of the time. Heritability e
stimates of the docility score (.22) and docility criterion (.18) seem
sufficient to select for docility traits.