To evaluate whether multiple scorers would interpret
and use the gait score system in the same way, the
gait scores of the ducks were assessed from video by
23 undergraduate students recruited from an applied
animal behavior course at Purdue University. The students,
none of whom reported having previous experience
with any type of gait score system, were randomly
assigned to one of 4 groups. Two of the groups were
given a copy of the scoring rubric to read and provided
with the opportunity to ask questions (10 students).
Students in the remaining 2 groups were provided
with the same materials and additionally shown
and given the opportunity to discuss sample videos depicting
ducks with varying gaits (13 students). The minimal
training provided to the groups is reasonably representative
of the training available to individuals who
are new to this assessment tool. Following their respective
training sessions, the students were shown a series
of video clips of ducks walking towards them which
were recorded during the on-farm assessment described
above, and asked to independently score the gait of each
duck.