Behavioural indicators of cow comfort: activity and resting behaviour of dairy cows in two types of housing

Citation
Db. Haley et al., Behavioural indicators of cow comfort: activity and resting behaviour of dairy cows in two types of housing, CAN J ANIM, 80(2), 2000, pp. 257-263
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Animal Sciences
Journal title
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
ISSN journal
00083984 → ACNP
Volume
80
Issue
2
Year of publication
2000
Pages
257 - 263
Database
ISI
SICI code
0008-3984(200006)80:2<257:BIOCCA>2.0.ZU;2-H
Abstract
We explored which aspects of dairy cow behaviour provide measures of cow co mfort and how housing affects resting time. Following a crossover design, w e observed the behaviour of eight lactating Holstein cows kept for three we eks in stalls believed to represent a contrast in comfort. Cows individuall y housed in large pens with a mattress flooring lay down 4.2 h d(-1) longer than cows housed in tie-stalls on a concrete floor, while cows in tie-stal ls stood idle (without eating) for longer. Cows stood up and lay down more often in the large pens and the duration of individual standing bouts was l onger in tie-stalls. We found no differences in eating time and few differe nces in body, head or leg positions cows assumed while lying. There was lit tle evidence of diurnal rhythm in activity. A lower frequency of standing a nd lying and an increase in the duration of lying bouts suggests that in ti e-stalls cows are more reluctant to change position from lying to standing. The type of pen or stall in which cows are housed can have a substantial i mpact on resting time. The duration and frequency of lying behaviour and th e time spent standing without eating appear to be probable behavioural indi cators of cow comfort.