THE EFFECTS OF RESTRAINT USING SELF-LOCKING STANCHIONS ON DAIRY-COWS IN RELATION TO BEHAVIOR, FEED-INTAKE, PHYSIOLOGICAL-PARAMETERS, HEALTH, AND MILK-YIELD

Holstein cows (n = 64) ranging from peak to end lactation were restrai ned in self-locking stanchions (i.e., head locks) for approximately 4 h/d for four periods in a modified switchback design. Milk yield, milk fat percentage, somatic cell count, and dry matter intake and dry mat ter intake were unaffected by restraint. Milk protein percentage was s ignificantly lower for cows that were restrained. Plasma cortisol conc entrations and the ratio of neutrophils to mononuclear cells were not significantly different between restrained and unrestrained (control) cows. No difference in the incidence of mastitis or other health conce rns was noted. Behaviorally, cows that were locked in the stanchions s pent significantly more time lying after release from restraint. For c ows that were locked up, eating frequency over 24 h was significantly reduced, but dry matter intake was not affected. Total rumination freq uency over 24 h was not significantly different for cows that were res traubed; however, cows that were restrained ruminated less during the day following release. Grooming was considered to be a behavioral need and was significantly increased during all times when cows were not l ocked up. Grooming was also one of the first behaviors performed follo wing release. Acts of aggression were elevated during all periods foll owing restraint, but oral behaviors, such as tongue playing and chewin g on objects, drinking behavior, and resting postures were not affecte d. The use of self-locking stanchions did not appear to affect substan tially the overall wellbeing of the cow.