Behavior and performance of dairy cows after transfer from tied to cubicle housing

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.

Keywords

Dairy cow; cubicle housing; behavior; milk production; reproduction

Published in

Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science
2018, volume: 21, number: 1, pages: 82-92

SLU Authors

• Lidfors, Lena

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

Associated SLU-program

Centre of Excellence in Animal Welfare Science

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2017.1376204

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/90928