Behavior and Performance of Dairy Cows After Transfer from Tied to Cubicle Housing
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2018 |
Authors: |
Anne Pavlenko, Lena Lidfors, David R. Arney, Tanel Kaart, Andres Aland |
Publication/Journal: |
Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science |
Publisher: |
Routledge |
Keywords: |
behavior, cubicle housing, dairy cow, milk production, reproduction |
ISBN: |
1088-8705 |
Abstract:
ABSTRACTBehavior and performance changes when tied dairy cows were moved to a loose housing system in a cubicle system were investigated. Behavioral observations were made for 3 consecutive days in 3 periods after transition. The cows (n = 105) were observed on 18 sampling occasions for 1 month. Recordings were made of body positions and general and social behaviors. Monthly milk records were collected 1 year before and 1 year after transition. Cows walked more during the 1st observation period than during the other periods (p < .05). Walking activity also differed between days when nested to period (p < .05). During the 1st period, cows ruminated while standing more than during the 3rd period (p < .05). Cows ate and groomed less and vocalized more during the 1st period (p < .05). It was concluded that after transition from a tied to a cubicle system, several behaviors were affected during the 1st days, and milk production of multiparous cows was negatively affected, although this effect was not long-term.