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
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.