Time budgets of dairy cows in a cow-calf contact system with automatic milking

Abstract

Time budgets were assessed in 20 primi- and 17 multiparous cows in a cow-calf study until 4 months of lactation. The cows were housed in the same automatic milking system (AMS) pen, and randomly assigned either to stay with the calf or to separate within 24 hours postparturition. The results of the study showed that certain behaviors were reduced in duration for the cow-calf group: time eating silage, socializing with other cows, and standing in cubicles. The cow-calf cows also spent more time in the waiting area in front of the milking unit. However, neither of the treatments seemed to constrain any activities to the point of reduced welfare for the animals. In conclusion, the addition of calves to a loose housing system with automatic milking is possible.

Published in

JDS communications
2024, Volume: 5, number: 1Publisher: ELSEVIER

SLU Authors

• Johansson, Teresa

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Agenäs, Sigrid

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Lindberg, Mikaela

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2023-0401

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/131385