Abstract
Behavior 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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 82-92 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Keywords
- Dairy cow
- cubicle housing
- behavior
- milk production
- reproduction
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