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Veissier I, Lesimple C, Brunet V, Aubé L, Botreau R. Review: Rethinking environmental enrichment as providing opportunities to acquire information. Animal 2024; 18:101251. [PMID: 39137615 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment, that is making the environment of animals more complex, was first designed to enhance the welfare and cognitive abilities of captive animals, and was more recently applied to farm animals. Enrichments can be sensory, physical, social, occupational, feeding-based, or a mix of these, with a view to improve animals' welfare. We posit that enrichments share the common factor of providing information to animals so that enrichment is all about providing the animal with a way to acquire information by interacting with the environment. Animals enjoy acquiring information, and the process of acquiring information acts in a way that enables them to better adapt to future environments. This reframed view of enrichment has several implications including prolonging the duration of exposure to an enrichment does not necessarily increase the impact of that enrichment, neutral and even slightly negative stimuli may still be enriching, complex and variable environments are enriching, and the more intensively an animal can engage with the environment, the more it will benefit from enrichments. These implications should be further explored by comprehensive re-analyses of findings from the enrichment literature and/or by dedicated experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Veissier
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro-Sup, UMR Herbivores, 63122 Sant-Genes-Champanelle, France.
| | - C Lesimple
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro-Sup, UMR Herbivores, 63122 Sant-Genes-Champanelle, France
| | - V Brunet
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro-Sup, UMR Herbivores, 63122 Sant-Genes-Champanelle, France
| | - L Aubé
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro-Sup, UMR Herbivores, 63122 Sant-Genes-Champanelle, France
| | - R Botreau
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro-Sup, UMR Herbivores, 63122 Sant-Genes-Champanelle, France
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Mattiello S, Celozzi S, Soli FM, Battini M. Exploring positive welfare measures: preliminary findings from a prototype protocol in loose housing dairy cattle farms. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1368363. [PMID: 38993280 PMCID: PMC11238295 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1368363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Following the increasing interest about the development of indicators of positive welfare and affective state in farm animals, the aim of this research is to present some preliminary results on the application of a prototype protocol based exclusively on positive welfare measures and to suggest potential benefits that can promote positive welfare. Methods The protocol was applied in 20 loose housing dairy cattle farms (6 on deep litter with straw, 14 in cubicles) and included only indicators of positive welfare and emotional states: feeding and resting synchronization, rumination during resting, comfortable lying postures, no visible eye white, relaxed ear postures, percentage of cow contacts with humans in the Avoidance Distance test. Potential benefits in terms of housing, feeding and management were then related to these variables (Mann-Whitney U test). Qualitative Behavior Assessment (QBA) was also carried out and analyzed by Principal Component Analysis to explore the effect of factors that were not evenly distributed in our sample (number of feed distributions, access to pasture, presence of paddock or environmental enrichments, automatic milking systems). Results When hay was included in the diet, higher feeding synchronization (93.7 ± 1.6 vs. 52.2 ± 4.7%; p < 0.01), percentage of cows with relaxed ear postures (35.8 ± 5.4 vs. 15.5 ± 2.1%; p < 0.01) and percentage of cows with no visible eye white (55.9 ± 17.0 vs. 36.6 ± 4.1%; n.s.) were recorded. A higher level of feeding synchronization was observed also when the feeding places/cow ratio was > 1 (72.1 ± 9.9 vs. 53.8 ± 5.8%), although differences were not significant (p = 0.14). Deep litter had a more positive effect than cubicles on comfort at resting, with a significantly higher percentage of ruminating cows (65.8 ± 10.2 vs. 34.2 ± 3.7%; p < 0.01), a higher percentage of cows with no visible eye white (55.6 ± 9.9 vs. 33.1 ± 3.7%; p < 0.05) and a higher percentage of cows in a more comfortable posture, with stretched legs (14.3 ± 5.1 vs. 5.6 ± 1.6%; p = 0.09). QBA highlighted the most positive emotional state in the only farm that allowed access to pasture. Conclusions This study represents a first attempt to apply a protocol for on-farm welfare evaluation based exclusively on the use of positive welfare indicators and provides suggestions on possible benefits (e.g., deep litter, feeding places/cow ratio > 1, hay in the diet and access to pasture) to enhance dairy cattle welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Mattiello
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Celozzi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Manila Soli
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Battini
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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3
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Colditz IG, Campbell DLM, Ingham AB, Lee C. Review: Environmental enrichment builds functional capacity and improves resilience as an aspect of positive welfare in production animals. Animal 2024; 18:101173. [PMID: 38761442 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The success of the animal in coping with challenges, and in harnessing opportunities to thrive, is central to its welfare. Functional capacity describes the capacity of molecules, cells, organs, body systems, the whole animal, and its community to buffer against the impacts of environmental perturbations. This buffering capacity determines the ability of the animal to maintain or regain functions in the face of environmental perturbations, which is recognised as resilience. The accuracy of physiological regulation and the maintenance of homeostatic balance underwrite the dynamic stability of outcomes such as biorhythms, feed intake, growth, milk yield, and egg production justifying their assessment as indicators of resilience. This narrative review examines the influence of environmental enrichments, especially during developmental stages in young animals, in building functional capacity and in its subsequent expression as resilience. Experience of enriched environments can build skills and competencies across multiple functional domains including but not limited to behaviour, immunity, and metabolism thereby increasing functional capacity and facilitating resilience within the context of challenges such as husbandry practices, social change, and infection. A quantitative method for measuring the distributed property of functional capacity may improve its assessment. Methods for analysing embedded energy (emergy) in ecosystems may have utility for this goal. We suggest functional capacity provides the common thread that links environmental enrichments with an ability to express resilience and may provide a novel and useful framework for measuring and reporting resilience. We conclude that the development of functional capacity and its subsequent expression as resilience is an aspect of positive animal welfare. The emergence of resilience from system dynamics highlights a need to shift from the study of physical and mental states to the study of physical and mental dynamics to describe the positive dimension of animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- I G Colditz
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.
| | - D L M Campbell
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
| | - A B Ingham
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - C Lee
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
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4
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Mota-Rojas D, Whittaker AL, Domínguez-Oliva A, Strappini AC, Álvarez-Macías A, Mora-Medina P, Ghezzi M, Lendez P, Lezama-García K, Grandin T. Tactile, Auditory, and Visual Stimulation as Sensory Enrichment for Dairy Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1265. [PMID: 38731269 PMCID: PMC11083412 DOI: 10.3390/ani14091265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Several types of enrichment can be used to improve animal welfare. This review summarizes the literature on the use of mechanical brushes, tactile udder stimulation, music, and visual stimuli as enrichment methods for dairy cows. Mechanical brushes and tactile stimulation of the udder have been shown to have a positive effect on milk yield and overall behavioral repertoire, enhancing natural behavior. Classical music reduces stress levels and has similarly been associated with increased milk yield. A slow or moderate tempo (70 to 100 bpm) at frequencies below 70 dB is recommended to have this positive effect. Evidence on the impacts of other types of enrichment, such as visual stimulation through mirrors, pictures, and color lights, or the use of olfactory stimuli, is equivocal and requires further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico (K.L.-G.)
| | - Alexandra L. Whittaker
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Adelaide, SA 5116, Australia
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico (K.L.-G.)
| | - Ana C. Strappini
- Animal Health and Welfare Department, Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Adolfo Álvarez-Macías
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico (K.L.-G.)
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán 54714, Mexico
| | - Marcelo Ghezzi
- Anatomy Area, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FCV), Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), University Campus, Tandil 7000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil CIVETAN, UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET (UNCPBA), University Campus, Tandil 7000, Argentina
| | - Pamela Lendez
- Anatomy Area, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FCV), Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), University Campus, Tandil 7000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil CIVETAN, UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET (UNCPBA), University Campus, Tandil 7000, Argentina
| | - Karina Lezama-García
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico (K.L.-G.)
| | - Temple Grandin
- Department of Animal Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
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Dado-Senn B, Van Os J, Dorea J, Laporta J. Actively ventilating calf hutches using solar-powered fans: Effects on hutch microclimate and calf thermoregulation. JDS COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 5:61-66. [PMID: 38223389 PMCID: PMC10785257 DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2023-0390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Although active ventilation via fans is an effective and widely adopted heat abatement method for use with adult dairy cattle, it has yet to be investigated in outdoor hutch-housed dairy calves despite most US calves being raised in such systems. We investigated a solar-powered fan system for outdoor calf hutches and its effect on hutch microclimate and calf thermoregulation. During summer, a 3 × 3 Latin square was replicated 4 times (n = 12 preweaning heifers) with 4-d exposure periods to minimally (CON; rear windows closed), passively (PASS; rear windows opened), or actively (ACT; solar-powered fan, activated at dry bulb temperature [Tdb] > 21°C) ventilated hutch systems. Hutch microclimate and calf thermoregulation were evaluated either continuously (Tdb, humidity, rectum surface temperature, and behavior) or after a daily 30-min inside restriction (air speed, air particle number, noise level, respiration, and sweating rate, and skin and rectal temperature). Active ventilation substantially increased hutch air speed relative to PASS and CON (1.76 vs. 0.19 vs. 0.05 m/s). However, PASS hutches had the lowest INT Tdb (27.2 vs. 26.4 vs. 27.8°C), whereas ACT INT Tdb was reduced at 0900 and 1000 h relative to CON but not PASS. Similarly, ACT reduced calf respiration rates and lowered rectum surface temperature at 0800 and 0900 h when compared with CON but not PASS. The lack of strong ACT influence on calf outcomes over PASS could partially be explained by the decreased proportion of time ACT calves spent inside their hutch (48.7 vs. 67.3 vs. 64.1% of each hour). Overall, ACT improved hutch microclimate and calf responses relative to CON but not PASS. Either ACT or PASS ventilation may be sufficient to provide heat abatement to continental hutch-housed calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Dado-Senn
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, 53597
| | - Jennifer Van Os
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, 53597
| | - Joao Dorea
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, 53597
| | - Jimena Laporta
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, 53597
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Miranda CO, Lima MLP, Filho AEV, Salles MSV, Simili FF, Negrão JA, Ribeiro EG, Faro LE. Benefits of tactile stimulation and environmental enrichment for the welfare of crossbred dairy calves. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2022.2162531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - João Alberto Negrão
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | | | - Lenira El Faro
- Institute of Animal Science, Advanced Beef Cattle Research Center, Sertãozinho, Brazil
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Bohn L, Bierbaum L, Kästner N, von Kortzfleisch VT, Kaiser S, Sachser N, Richter SH. Structural enrichment for laboratory mice: exploring the effects of novelty and complexity. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1207332. [PMID: 37841462 PMCID: PMC10570735 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1207332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Providing structural enrichment is a widespread refinement method for laboratory rodents and other animals in captivity. So far, animal welfare research has mostly focused on the effect of increased complexity either by accumulating or combining different enrichment items. However, increasing complexity is not the only possibility to refine housing conditions. Another refinement option is to increase novelty by regularly exchanging known enrichment items with new ones. In the present study, we used pair-housed non-breeding female C57BL/6J and DBA/2N mice to investigate the effect of novelty when applying structural enrichment. We used a double cage system, in which one cage served as home cage and the other as extra cage. While the home cage was furnished in the same way for all mice, in the extra cage we either provided only space with no additional enrichment items (space), a fixed set of enrichment items (complexity), or a changing set of enrichment items (novelty). Over 5 weeks, we assessed spontaneous behaviors, body weight, and extra cage usage as indicators of welfare and preference. Our main results showed that mice with access to structurally enriched extra cages (complexity and novelty) spent more time in their extra cages and complexity mice had lower latencies to enter their extra cages than mice with access to the extra cages without any structural enrichment (space). This indicates that the mice preferred the structurally enriched extra cages over the structurally non-enriched space cages. We found only one statistically significant difference between the novelty and complexity condition: during week 3, novelty mice spent more time in their extra cages than complexity mice. Although we did not detect any other significant differences between the novelty and complexity condition in the present study, more research is required to further explore the potential benefits of novelty beyond complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Bohn
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Louisa Bierbaum
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Niklas Kästner
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Sylvia Kaiser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Norbert Sachser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - S. Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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8
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Cooke AS, Mullan S, Morten C, Hockenhull J, Le Grice P, Le Cocq K, Lee MRF, Cardenas LM, Rivero MJ. Comparison of the welfare of beef cattle in housed and grazing systems: hormones, health, and behaviour. THE JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE 2023; 161:450-463. [PMID: 37641790 PMCID: PMC7614983 DOI: 10.1017/s0021859623000357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Animal welfare encompasses all aspects of an animal's life and the interactions between animals. Consequently, welfare must be measured across a variety of factors that consider aspects such as health, behaviour, and mental state. Decisions regarding housing and grazing are central to farm management. In this study, two beef cattle systems and their herds were compared from weaning to slaughter across numerous indicators. One herd ("HH") were continuously housed, the other ("HG") were housed only during winter. Inspections of animals were conducted to assess body condition, cleanliness, diarrhoea, hairlessness, nasal discharge, and ocular discharge. Hair and nasal mucus samples were taken for quantification of cortisol and serotonin. Qualitative behaviour assessments (QBA) were also conducted and performance monitored. Physical health indicators were similar between herds with the exception of nasal discharge which was more prevalent in HH (P < 0.001). During winter, QBA yielded differences between herds over PC1 (arousal) (P = 0.032), but not PC2 (mood) (P = 0.139). Through summer, there was a strong difference across both PC1 (P < 0.001) and PC2 (P = 0.002), with HG exhibiting more positive behaviour. A difference was found in hair cortisol levels, with the greatest concentrations observed in HG (P = 0.011), however such a pattern was not seen for nasal mucus cortisol, or for serotonin. Overall, providing summer grazing (HG) appeared to afford welfare benefits to the cattle as shown with more positive QBA assessments, but also slightly better health indicators, notwithstanding the higher levels of cortisol in that group.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. S. Cooke
- School of Life Sciences, College of Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
| | - S. Mullan
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - C. Morten
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
| | - J. Hockenhull
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - P. Le Grice
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
| | - K. Le Cocq
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
- School of Sustainable Food and Farming, Harper Adams University, Edgmond, UK
| | - M. R. F. Lee
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Sustainable Food and Farming, Harper Adams University, Edgmond, UK
| | - L. M. Cardenas
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
| | - M. J. Rivero
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, De Boyer des Roches A, Jensen MB, Mee J, Green M, Thulke H, Bailly‐Caumette E, Candiani D, Lima E, Van der Stede Y, Winckler C. Welfare of dairy cows. EFSA J 2023; 21:e07993. [PMID: 37200854 PMCID: PMC10186071 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
This Scientific Opinion addresses a European Commission's mandate on the welfare of dairy cows as part of the Farm to Fork strategy. It includes three assessments carried out based on literature reviews and complemented by expert opinion. Assessment 1 describes the most prevalent housing systems for dairy cows in Europe: tie-stalls, cubicle housing, open-bedded systems and systems with access to an outdoor area. Per each system, the scientific opinion describes the distribution in the EU and assesses the main strengths, weaknesses and hazards potentially reducing the welfare of dairy cows. Assessment 2 addresses five welfare consequences as requested in the mandate: locomotory disorders (including lameness), mastitis, restriction of movement and resting problems, inability to perform comfort behaviour and metabolic disorders. Per each welfare consequence, a set of animal-based measures is suggested, a detailed analysis of the prevalence in different housing systems is provided, and subsequently, a comparison of the housing systems is given. Common and specific system-related hazards as well as management-related hazards and respective preventive measures are investigated. Assessment 3 includes an analysis of farm characteristics (e.g. milk yield, herd size) that could be used to classify the level of on-farm welfare. From the available scientific literature, it was not possible to derive relevant associations between available farm data and cow welfare. Therefore, an approach based on expert knowledge elicitation (EKE) was developed. The EKE resulted in the identification of five farm characteristics (more than one cow per cubicle at maximum stocking density, limited space for cows, inappropriate cubicle size, high on-farm mortality and farms with less than 2 months access to pasture). If one or more of these farm characteristics are present, it is recommended to conduct an assessment of cow welfare on the farm in question using animal-based measures for specified welfare consequences.
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10
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortazar Schmidt C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MA, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Jensen MB, Waiblinger S, Candiani D, Lima E, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Van der Stede Y, Vitali M, Winckler C. Welfare of calves. EFSA J 2023; 21:e07896. [PMID: 37009444 PMCID: PMC10050971 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This Scientific Opinion addresses a European Commission request on the welfare of calves as part of the Farm to Fork strategy. EFSA was asked to provide a description of common husbandry systems and related welfare consequences, as well as measures to prevent or mitigate the hazards leading to them. In addition, recommendations on three specific issues were requested: welfare of calves reared for white veal (space, group housing, requirements of iron and fibre); risk of limited cow–calf contact; and animal‐based measures (ABMs) to monitor on‐farm welfare in slaughterhouses. The methodology developed by EFSA to address similar requests was followed. Fifteen highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, with respiratory disorders, inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour, gastroenteric disorders and group stress being the most frequent across husbandry systems. Recommendations to improve the welfare of calves include increasing space allowance, keeping calves in stable groups from an early age, ensuring good colostrum management and increasing the amounts of milk fed to dairy calves. In addition, calves should be provided with deformable lying surfaces, water via an open surface and long‐cut roughage in racks. Regarding specific recommendations for veal systems, calves should be kept in small groups (2–7 animals) within the first week of life, provided with ~ 20 m2/calf and fed on average 1 kg neutral detergent fibre (NDF) per day, preferably using long‐cut hay. Recommendations on cow–calf contact include keeping the calf with the dam for a minimum of 1 day post‐partum. Longer contact should progressively be implemented, but research is needed to guide this implementation in practice. The ABMs body condition, carcass condemnations, abomasal lesions, lung lesions, carcass colour and bursa swelling may be collected in slaughterhouses to monitor on‐farm welfare but should be complemented with behavioural ABMs collected on farm.
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Russell AL, Randall LV, Kaler J, Eyre N, Green MJ. Use of qualitative behavioural assessment to investigate affective states of housed dairy cows under different environmental conditions. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1099170. [PMID: 37008348 PMCID: PMC10064062 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1099170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to the reduction of suboptimal welfare, there is now a need to provide farmed animals with positive opportunities to provide confidence that they have experienced a life worth living. Diversification of the environment through environmental enrichment strategies is one suggested avenue for providing animals with opportunities for positive experiences. The provision of more stimulating environmental conditions has been widely implemented in other animal production industries, based on evidenced welfare benefits. However, the implementation of enrichment on dairy farms is limited. In addition to this, the relationship between enrichment and dairy cows' affective states is an under-researched area. One specific welfare benefit of enrichment strategies which has been observed in a number of species, is increased affective wellbeing. This study investigated whether the provision of different forms of environmental enrichment resources would impact the affective states of housed dairy cows. This was measured by Qualitative Behavioural Assessment, currently a promising positive welfare indicator. Two groups of cows experienced three treatment periods; (i) access to an indoor novel object, (ii) access to an outdoor concrete yard and (iii) simultaneous access to both resources. Principal component analysis was used to analyse qualitative behavioural assessment scores, which yielded two principal components. The first principal component was most positively associated with the terms “content/relaxed/positively occupied” and had the most negative associations with the terms ‘fearful/bored'. A second principal component was most positively associated with the terms “lively/inquisitive/playful” and was most negatively associated with the terms “apathetic/bored”. Treatment period had a significant effect on both principal components, with cows being assessed as more content, relaxed and positively occupied and less fearful and bored, during periods of access to additional environmental resources. Similarly, cows were scored as livelier, more inquisitive and less bored and apathetic, during treatment periods compared to standard housing conditions. Concurrent with research in other species, these results suggest that the provision of additional environmental resources facilitates positive experiences and therefore enhanced affective states for housed dairy cows.
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12
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Schillings J, Bennett R, Wemelsfelder F, Rose DC. Digital Livestock Technologies as boundary objects: Investigating impacts on farm management and animal welfare. Anim Welf 2023; 32:e17. [PMID: 38487442 PMCID: PMC10936290 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Digital Livestock Technologies (DLTs) can assist farmer decision-making and promise benefits to animal health and welfare. However, the extent to which they can help improve animal welfare is unclear. This study explores how DLTs may impact farm management and animal welfare by promoting learning, using the concept of boundary objects. Boundary objects may be interpreted differently by different social worlds but are robust enough to share a common identity across them. They facilitate communication around a common issue, allowing stakeholders to collaborate and co-learn. The type of learning generated may impact management and welfare differently. For example, it may help improve existing strategies (single-loop learning), or initiate reflection on how these strategies were framed initially (double-loop learning). This study focuses on two case studies, during which two DLTs were developed and tested on farms. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders involved in the case studies (n = 31), and the results of a separate survey were used to complement our findings. Findings support the important potential of DLTs to help enhance animal welfare, although the impacts vary between technologies. In both case studies, DLTs facilitated discussions between stakeholders, and whilst both promoted improved management strategies, one also promoted deeper reflection on the importance of animal emotional well-being and on providing opportunities for positive animal welfare. If DLTs are to make significant improvements to animal welfare, greater priority should be given to DLTs that promote a greater understanding of the dimensions of animal welfare and a reframing of values and beliefs with respect to the importance of animals' well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Schillings
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Richard Bennett
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | | | - David C Rose
- School of Water, Energy, and the Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK
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13
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The Societal Value of the Modern Zoo: A Commentary on How Zoos Can Positively Impact on Human Populations Locally and Globally. JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/jzbg4010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern zoos and aquariums have evolved greatly since the end of the Second World War, to become centres of conservation excellence and scientific institutions for the study of animal behaviour, ecology, husbandry management. Whilst the impact of zoos and aquariums to biodiversity conservation, population management and advancement of species care is well documented, their positive impacts on society (including the communities that they are located within) is less well known. The four established aims of the modern zoo—Conservation, Education, Recreation (Engagement) and Research—provide a strong foundation for wider review and critique of the societal value of zoos and aquariums. This article synthesises what such value may be, and how it could be measured, from a systematic review of the literature pertaining to each of these four established aims. It also recommends areas of future scientific inquiry to further study the wider impact of zoos on their local communities and on human populations and behaviour more generally. Including Wellbeing as a fifth aim of the modern zoo would also cement their wider societal value. Further scrutiny of the societal value of the modern zoo enhances the value of the zoo’s living collection and the green spaces that it manages to provide accessibility to biodiversity and nature-centric education essential to long-term, planetary friendly human behaviour change.
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Erasmus LM, van Marle-Köster E, Masenge A, Ganswindt A. Exploring the effect of auditory stimuli on activity levels, milk yield and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in Holstein cows. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2023; 82:106767. [PMID: 36244193 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2022.106767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Health and welfare are inextricably linked within efficient and sustainable dairy production, and several potential risk factors may affect the well-being of dairy cows, including chronic stress. Although auditory stimuli could be used as a tool to decrease the potential stress that cows might experience, it is seldom applied to livestock production systems due to the perception that enrichment is an unnecessary expense. This study aimed to explore the effect of auditory stimuli as a form of enrichment in a Holstein herd by monitoring fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations (a non-invasive, stress-associated biomarker). Cow activity level and milk yield were also measured. Nine cows in their second and third lactation were divided into 3 groups, using a Latin Square experimental design, exposing each cow group to each of the 3 treatments, namely constant exposure (CE), limited exposure (LE), and no exposure (NE) to classical music. FGCMs were quantified using a group-specific enzyme immunoassay detecting 11,17-dioxoandrostanes. Compared to LE and NE animals, cows exposed to constant music had significantly lower fGCM concentrations (P = 0.012), as well as higher milk yields (P < 0.0001) and lowered activity levels during the morning (P = 0.005) and the evening activity period (P = 0.048). These findings indicate that auditory stimuli in the form of classical music may have a positive effect on the welfare of cows as well as milk yield, which hold economic benefits for the producer and potentially reduces the number of cows needed for profitable production.
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Affiliation(s)
- L-M Erasmus
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.
| | - E van Marle-Köster
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - A Masenge
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - A Ganswindt
- Mammal Research Institute (MRI), Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
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15
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Arcangeli G, Lulli LG, Traversini V, De Sio S, Cannizzaro E, Galea RP, Mucci N. Neurobehavioral Alterations from Noise Exposure in Animals: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:591. [PMID: 36612911 PMCID: PMC9819367 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystems are increasingly involved and influenced by human activities, which are ever-increasing. These activities are mainly due to vehicular, air and sea transportation, thus causing possible repercussions on the fauna that exists there. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the possible consequences that these activities may have in the field of animal neurobehavior, with special emphasis on the species involved, the most common environment concerned, the noise source and the disturbance that is caused. This research includes articles published in the major databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, Web of Sciences); the online search yielded 1901 references. After selection, 49 articles (14 reviews and 35 original articles) were finally scrutinized. The main problems that were reported were in relation to movement, reproduction, offspring care and foraging. In live experiments carried out, the repercussions on the marine environment mainly concerned altered swimming, shallower descents, less foraging and an escape reaction for fear of cetaceans and fish. In birds, alterations in foraging, vocalizations and nests were noted; laboratory studies, on the other hand, carried out on small mammals, highlighted spatio-temporal cognitive alterations and memory loss. In conclusion, it appears that greater attention to all ecosystems should be given as soon as possible so as to try to achieve a balance between human activity and the well-being of terrestrial fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Arcangeli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Veronica Traversini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Simone De Sio
- R.U. of Occupational Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00100 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Raymond Paul Galea
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
| | - Nicola Mucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
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16
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Dickson EJ, Campbell DLM, Lee C, Lea JM, McDonald PG, Monk JE. Beef Cattle Preference and Usage of Environmental Enrichments Provided Simultaneously in a Pasture-Based Environment. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243544. [PMID: 36552464 PMCID: PMC9774521 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment can improve livestock welfare through increasing environmental complexity to promote a greater range of natural behaviours. However, there is limited understanding of the need for and impacts of enrichments for extensively managed beef cattle that can sometimes be kept in grassed paddocks devoid of additional natural and artificial features, i.e., ‘barren pastures’. This trial assessed which enrichments beef cattle preferred and utilised in a barren paddock environment. Eight groups of seven Angus steers housed on pastured paddocks devoid of natural or artificial features were observed during daylight hours for two days a week over a period of three weeks, after being presented with four enrichments simultaneously: a cattle brush, a piece of hanging rope, a tree stump, and a woodchip pile. Although enrichment use generally decreased over time, the brush, stump, and woodchip maintained a higher level of use than the rope, based on the frequency of interactions and number of displacements around the enrichments (both p < 0.001). This suggests that the brush, stump, and woodchip pile were more valuable resources to the cattle, allowing for grooming and lying behaviours, although oral manipulations also occurred on the stump, woodchip, and rope. The inclusion of these enrichments can increase the complexity of barren pasture environments and allow for the increased expression of natural behaviours, potentially contributing to improved welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Dickson
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Dana L. M. Campbell
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
| | - Caroline Lee
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
| | - Jim M. Lea
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
| | - Paul G. McDonald
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Jessica E. Monk
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
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17
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A “Good Life” for Dairy Cattle: Developing and Piloting a Framework for Assessing Positive Welfare Opportunities Based on Scientific Evidence and Farmer Expertise. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192540. [PMID: 36230281 PMCID: PMC9559654 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary There is increasing appetite to understand how we can provide quality of life to farm animals. A framework to evaluate positive welfare opportunities for dairy cattle was developed using a participatory approach where farmer’s recommendations were integrated into a scientific framework and piloted on farm by vets. When provided with the opportunity to collaborate, farmers and scientists broadly agree on what constitutes “a good life” for dairy cattle and worked together to develop an assessment framework. Farmers did not agree equally on the value of each positive welfare opportunity. However, farmers supported positive welfare assessment as a means of recognition and reward for higher animal welfare, within existing farm assurance schemes, and to justify national and global marketing claims of higher animal welfare. Abstract On-farm welfare assessment tends to focus on minimising negative welfare, but providing positive welfare is important in order to give animals a good life. This study developed a positive welfare framework for dairy cows based on the existing scientific literature which has focused on developing positive welfare indicators, and trialled a participatory approach with farmers; refining the framework based on their recommendations, followed by a vet pilot phase on farm. The results revealed that farmers and scientists agree on what constitutes “a good life” for dairy cattle. Farmers value positive welfare because they value their cows’ quality of life, and want to be proud of their work, improve their own wellbeing as well as receive business benefits. For each good life resource, the proportion of farmers going above and beyond legislation ranged from 27 to 84%. Furthermore, barriers to achieving positive welfare opportunities, including monetary and time costs, were not apparently insurmountable if implementation costs were remunerated (by the government). However, the intrinsic value in providing such opportunities also incentivises farmers. Overall, most farmers appeared to support positive welfare assessment, with the largest proportion (50%) supporting its use within existing farm assurance schemes, or to justify national and global marketing claims. Collaborating with farmers to co-create policy is crucial to showcase and quantify the UK’s high welfare standards, and to maximise engagement, relevance and uptake of animal welfare policy, to ensure continuous improvement and leadership in the quality of lives for farm animals.
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18
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Fu X, Zhang Y, Zhang YG, Yin YL, Yan SC, Zhao YZ, Shen WZ. Research and application of a new multilevel fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method for cold stress in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:9137-9161. [PMID: 36153158 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Effective and comprehensive evaluation of cold stress is critical for healthy dairy cow breeding in the winter. Previous studies on dairy cow cold stress have considered thermal environmental factors but not physiological factors or air quality. Therefore, this study aimed to propose a multilevel fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) method for cold stress in dairy cows based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and a genetic algorithm (GA). First, the AHP was used to construct an evaluation index system for cold stress in dairy cows from 3 dimensions: thermal environment (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and illumination), physiological factors (respiratory rate, body surface temperature), and air quality [NH3, CO2, inhalable particulate matter (PM10)]. Second, the consistency test of the judgment matrix was transformed into a nonlinear constrained optimization problem and solved using the GA. Next, based on fuzzy set theory, the comment set and membership function were established to classify the degree of cold stress into 5 levels: none, mild, moderate, high, and extreme. Then, the degree of cold stress in cows was obtained using multilevel fuzzy comprehensive judgment. To investigate the effect of illumination indicators on cold stress in dairy cows, 24 prelactation cows from the south and north sides were selected for a 117-d comprehensive cold stress evaluation. The results showed that the mean mild cold stress durations were 605.3 h (25.22 d) and 725.5 h (30.23 d) and the moderate cold stress durations were 67.2 h (2.8 d) and 96 h (4.0 d) on the south and north sides, respectively. Simultaneously, generalized linear mixed model showed that there were significant correlations between the daily cold stress duration and milk yield, feeding time, lying time, and active steps in the cows on both sides. This method can reasonably indicate cow cold stress conditions and better guide cold protection practices in actual production.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Fu
- College of Electrical and Information, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Y Zhang
- College of Electrical and Information, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Y G Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Y L Yin
- College of Electrical and Information, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - S C Yan
- College of Electrical and Information, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Y Z Zhao
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine 92612
| | - W Z Shen
- College of Electrical and Information, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
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19
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Mandel R, Bracke MBM, Nicol CJ, Webster JA, Gygax L. Dairy vs beef production - expert views on welfare of cattle in common food production systems. Animal 2022; 16:100622. [PMID: 36109300 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Consumers' views and concerns about the welfare of farm animals may play an important role in their decision to consume dairy, meat and/or plants as their primary protein source. As animals are killed prematurely in both dairy and beef industries, it is important to quantify and compare welfare compromises in these two sectors before the point of death. Seventy world-leading bovine welfare experts based in 23 countries were asked to evaluate the likelihood of a bovine to experience 12 states of potential welfare concern, inspired by the Welfare Quality® protocol. The evaluation focused on the most common beef and dairy production systems in the experts' country and was carried out separately for dairy/beef calves raised for red meat, dairy/beef calves raised for veal, dairy/beef calves raised as a replacement, and for dairy/beef cows. The results show experts rated the overall likelihood of a negative welfare state (i.e. welfare risk) to be higher in animals from dairy herds than from beef herds, for all animal categories, regardless of whether they were used to produce milk, red meat or veal. These findings suggest that consuming food products derived from common dairy production systems (dairy or meat) may be more harmful to the welfare of animals than consuming products derived from common beef production systems (i.e. from animals solely raised for their meat). Raising awareness about the linkage between dairy and meat production, and the toll of milk production on the welfare state of animals in the dairy industry, may encourage a more sustainable and responsible food consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roi Mandel
- Section of Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark; Behavioural Ecology Group, Section for Ecology & Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marc B M Bracke
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - John A Webster
- Professor Emeritus at the University of Bristol and Former Head of the Bristol Vet School, BS40 5DU Langford, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenz Gygax
- Animal Husbandry & Ethology, Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt-University of Berlin, 10099 Berlin. Germany
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20
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Nawroth C, Rørvang M. Opportunities (and challenges) in dairy cattle cognition research: A key area needed to design future high welfare housing systems. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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21
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Zhang C, Juniper DT, McDonald R, Parsons S, Meagher RK. Holstein calves' preference for potential physical enrichment items on different presentation schedules. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:8316-8327. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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22
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Kochewad SA, Gaur GK, Maurya VP, Bharti PK, Sahoo NR, Pandey HO, Singh M, Verma MR. Effect of milking environment enrichment through music on production performance and behaviour in cattle. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:219. [PMID: 35760924 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03217-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Enrichment of milking environment through music has been proposed to help animals to cope with divergent stressors. In sight of the above, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Indian instrumental music-based environmental enrichment played in yaman raga on milk production performance and behaviour in cattle. A total of 21 lactating dairy cattle (Vrindavani crossbred cows) having similar parity and stage of lactation were selected in three groups - T1, T2 and T3, each consisting of seven animals. The T1 and T2 groups were exposed to instrumental flute and sitar, respectively, 10 min prior to the start of milking and continued till completion of milking; while the T3 group served as control. Musical enrichment of the environment was done using recorded-tape of flute and sitar was played in yamen raga at 40-60 (dB) decibel intensity. The results revealed a non-significant difference in milk yield, rectal temperature, respiration rate, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) hormones. However, there exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) difference in milking time, milking speed, cortisol hormones and behavioural parameters such as milk let-down in the animals exposed to music compared to the control group. Thus, the results have significant implications relating to the behavioural fitness and welfare of dairy animals and reducing residual milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Kochewad
- ICAR-National Institute for Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, Maharashtra, India.
| | - G K Gaur
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - V P Maurya
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - P K Bharti
- ICAR-Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute, Motihari, India
| | - N R Sahoo
- ICAR-Directorate of Foot and Mouth Disease (ICFMD), Bhubaneswar, India
| | - H O Pandey
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mukesh Singh
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - M R Verma
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
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23
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Performance of Various Filtering Media for the Treatment of Cow Manure from Exercise Pens—A Laboratory Study. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14121912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
During summer and winter months, pastures and outdoor pens represent the conventional means of providing exercise for dairy cows housed in tie-stall barns in the province of Québec, Canada. Unfortunately, outdoor pens require large spaces, and their leachates do not meet Québec’s environmental regulations. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative approaches for these so-called wintering pens. A sustainable year-long approach could be a stand-off pad consisting of a filtering media to manage adequately water exiting the pad. Different filtering materials can be used and mixed (gravel, woodchips, biochar, sphagnum peat moss, sand, etc.). To find the best material and/or mixes, a laboratory study was carried out using 15 PVC pipes (5 cm in diameter and 50 cm long) to test five different combinations of materials over a 3-week period. Different contaminant-removal efficiencies were achieved with the alternative materials, including for chemical oxygen demand (11–38%), phosphates (8–23%), suspended solids (33–57%), and turbidity (23–58%). Alternative treatments with sand, sphagnum peat moss, and biochar improved the filtration capacity when compared to the conventional material (woodchips). However, after three weeks of experimentation, the treatment efficiency of sand gradually decreased for pollutants such as suspended solids and phosphates.
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24
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Thompson JS, Hudson CD, Huxley JN, Kaler J, Robinson RS, Woad KJ, Bollard N, Gibbons J, Green MJ. A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the impact of indoor living space on dairy cow production, reproduction and behaviour. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3849. [PMID: 35264670 PMCID: PMC8907246 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07826-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As a global society, we have a duty to provide suitable care and conditions for farmed livestock to protect animal welfare and ensure the sustainability of our food supply. The suitability and biological impacts of housing conditions for intensively farmed animals is a complex and emotive subject, yet poorly researched, meaning quantitative evidence to inform policy and legislation is lacking. Most dairy cows globally are housed for some duration during the year, largely when climatic conditions are unfavourable. However, the impact on biology, productivity and welfare of even the most basic housing requirement, the quantity of living space, remains unknown. We conducted a long-term (1-year), randomised controlled trial (CONSORT 10 guidelines) to investigate the impact of increased living space (6.5 m2 vs 3 m2 per animal) on critical aspects of cow biology, behaviour and productivity. Adult Holstein dairy cows (n = 150) were continuously and randomly allocated to a high or control living space group with all other aspects of housing remaining identical between groups. Compared to cows in the control living space group, cows with increased space produced more milk per 305d lactation (primiparous: 12,235 L vs 11,592 L, P < 0.01; multiparous: 14,746 L vs 14,644 L, P < 0.01) but took longer to become pregnant after calving (primiparous: 155 d vs 83 d, P = 0.025; multiparous: 133 d vs 109 d). In terms of behaviour, cows with more living space spent significantly more time in lying areas (65 min/d difference; high space group: 12.43 h/day, 95% CI = 11.70-13.29; control space group: 11.42 h/day, 95% CI = 10.73-12.12) and significantly less time in passageways (64 min/d), suggesting enhanced welfare when more space was provided. A key physiological difference between groups was that cows with more space spent longer ruminating each day. This is the first long term study in dairy cows to demonstrate that increased living space results in meaningful benefits in terms of productivity and behaviour and suggests that the interplay between farmed animals and their housed environment plays an important role in the concepts of welfare and sustainability of dairy farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake S Thompson
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Christopher D Hudson
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jonathan N Huxley
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4474, New Zealand
| | - Jasmeet Kaler
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Robert S Robinson
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Kathryn J Woad
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Nicola Bollard
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jenny Gibbons
- Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, CV8 2TL, UK
| | - Martin J Green
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
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25
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Zhang C, Juniper DT, Meagher RK. Effects of physical enrichment and pair housing before weaning on growth, behaviour and cognitive ability of calves after weaning and regrouping. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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26
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Verdon M. A review of factors affecting the welfare of dairy calves in pasture-based production systems. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/an21139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Current research on factors affecting the welfare of dairy calves is predominantly based on indoor, year-round calving systems. Calf rearing in these systems differs from that in more seasonal, pasture-based dairy production, meaning that risks to the welfare of dairy calves may not always be comparable between the two systems. The aim of this review was to consolidate the scientific literature relating to calf welfare in pasture-based dairy systems from birth until weaning, allowing for (1) the identification of current and emerging risks to calf welfare and (2) the formation of recommendations to mitigate these risks. Many of the risks to calf welfare discussed in this review are not exclusive to pasture-based dairies. This includes a global trend for increasing perinatal mortalities, a significant number of calves failing to achieve effective passive transfer of immunity, the low uptake of best practice pain relief when calves are disbudded, and the feeding of restricted milk volumes. In addition to these persisting welfare risks, two factors discussed in this review pose an immediate threat to the social license of dairy farming; the separation of cow and calf soon after birth and the management of surplus calves (i.e. calves not needed by the dairy industry). Several recommendations are made to improve the uptake of best-practice calf rearing and progress the development of alternative pasture-based rearing systems that accommodate changing community expectations. These include communication strategies that strengthen farmer beliefs regarding the welfare and productivity benefits achieved by best practice calf rearing and challenge beliefs regarding the associated costs. Farmers should also be encouraged to benchmark their rearing practices through improved record keeping of key rearing inputs and outcomes. Biological research is needed to advise the development of new calf rearing recommendations and the evolution of existing recommendations. Research priorities identified by this review include the effects of dystocia on the neonate and strategies to mitigate these effects, relationships between features of pen design and calf health and welfare, feasibility of dam rearing in large pasture-based dairy systems, and strategies that increase the value of the surplus calf.
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Marumo JL, Lusseau D, Speakman JR, Mackie M, Hambly C. Influence of environmental factors and parity on milk yield dynamics in barn-housed dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2021; 105:1225-1241. [PMID: 34802739 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of environmental factors on average daily milk yield and day-to-day variation in milk yield of barn-housed Scottish dairy cows milked with an automated milking system. An incomplete Wood gamma function was fitted to derive parameters describing the milk yield curve including initial milk yield, inclining slope, declining slope, peak milk yield, time of peak, persistency (time in which the cow maintains high yield beyond the peak), and predicted total lactation milk yield (PTLMY). Lactation curves were fitted using generalized linear mixed models incorporating the above parameters (initial milk yield, inclining and declining slopes) and both the indoor and outdoor weather variables (temperature, humidity, and temperature-humidity index) as fixed effects. There was a higher initial milk yield and PTLMY in multiparous cows, but the incline slope parameter and persistency were greatest in primiparous cows. Primiparous cows took 54 d longer to attain a peak yield (mean ± standard error) of 34.25 ± 0.58 kg than multiparous (47.3 ± 0.45 kg); however, multiparous cows yielded 2,209 kg more PTLMY. The best models incorporated 2-d lagged minimum temperature. However, effect of temperature was minimal (primiparous decreased milk yield by 0.006 kg/d and multiparous by 0.001 kg/d for each degree increase in temperature). Both primiparous and multiparous cows significantly decreased in day-to-day variation in milk yield as temperature increased (primiparous cows decreased 0.05 kg/d for every degree increase in 2-d lagged minimum temperature indoors, which was greater than the effect in multiparous cows of 0.008 kg/d). Though the model estimates for both indoor and outdoor were different, a similar pattern of the average daily milk yield and day-to-day variation in milk yield and milk yield's dependence on environmental factors was observed for both primiparous and multiparous cows. In Scotland, primiparous cows were more greatly affected by the 2-d lagged minimum temperature compared with multiparous cows. After peak lactation had been reached, primiparous and multiparous cows decreased milk yield as indoor and outdoor minimum temperature increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Marumo
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - D Lusseau
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; Technical University of Denmark, Anker Engelunds Vej 1, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - J R Speakman
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; Centre for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China; CAS Center of Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Kunming, 650223, China
| | - M Mackie
- Mackies Dairy, Westerton, Inverurie, AB51 8US, United Kingdom
| | - C Hambly
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
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Strappini AC, Monti G, Sepúlveda-Varas P, de Freslon I, Peralta JM. Measuring Calves' Usage of Multiple Environmental Enrichment Objects Provided Simultaneously. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:698681. [PMID: 34660753 PMCID: PMC8517185 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.698681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to assess calf usage of five potential enrichment devices provided simultaneously. We used 25 weaned Holstein-Friesian calves housed in groups of five (five replicates), and their behavior was recorded continuously with video cameras. This longitudinal observational study used a pen equipped with a mechanical and fixed brush, cowhide, and horizontal and vertical ropes. Data collected included how many visits each object received per day, the type of object usage, and the duration of the visits. Calves used all five objects at least once, and they used items more during the daytime than at night. Brushes were used mainly for grooming (e.g., rubbing or scratching), while ropes and cowhide for oral interactions (e.g., licking, chewing, and biting), most likely to lack oral stimulations that would naturally be satisfied by suckling and grazing at this age. The objects most frequently used were the mechanical brush and the horizontal rope, and they received the highest number of visits (214.9 and 154.9 bouts/day, respectively). The least chosen object was the stationary brush, which had the lowest number of visits (62.9 bouts/day). The provision of multiple enrichment objects for weaned calves should be considered as they may add complexity and novelty to barren environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Strappini
- Animal Science Institute, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Gustavo Monti
- Preventive Veterinary Medicine Institute, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Pilar Sepúlveda-Varas
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences Institute, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Inès de Freslon
- Animal Care and Use Committee, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - José M Peralta
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
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Van Os JMC, Goldstein SA, Weary DM, von Keyserlingk MAG. Stationary brush use in naive dairy heifers. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:12019-12029. [PMID: 34364642 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Weaned dairy heifers are often housed in environments with few appropriate outlets for grooming or oral manipulation. Our objective was to characterize brush use by naive heifers, including patterns over time. In phase 1, groups of 4 heifers (n = 13 groups, 146.4 ± 9.1 d old, mean ± standard deviation; SD) were introduced to a bedded pack pen with 4 wall-mounted brushes (25.4 × 6.0 cm with 3.8-cm-long bristles). On d 1, 2, and 6 of exposure, continuous video recordings were used to observe 2 focal heifers per group for brush use (oral manipulation, grooming, and the sum of total brush use; all averaged at the group level). Latency to use a brush upon entering the pen was 3.4 ± 4.9 min (mean ± SD; range: 0.1 to 17.8 min among individuals). Heifers used the brushes for oral manipulation (39.7 ± 17.5% of brush use, mean ± SD) and grooming (60.3 ± 17.5%), primarily of their heads (89.9 ± 5.4% of grooming). In phase 2, heifers were moved in pairs (n = 13 pairs/treatment) to freestall pens either with (brush treatment) or without (control) brushes mounted inside the stalls for the first 5 d of phase 2 (d 8-12 of the study); on the last day (d 13 of the study), brushes were provided in both treatments. On d 8 (brush treatment) and 13 (both treatments), one focal heifer/pen was recorded for the same behaviors as in phase 1. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate brush use patterns across days (phase 1: d 1, 2, and 6; phase 2 brush treatment: d 8 vs. 13) and between treatments on d 13. In phase 1, brush use was greatest on d 1 [45.9 min; 95% confidence interval (CI): 33.2-63.3 min, back-transformed from natural-log values], decreased on d 2 (25.0 min, 95% CI: 18.4-34.0 min), but then remained steady until d 6 (21.0 min, 95% CI: 15.4-28.5 min); the initial reduction in total brush use was due to changes in grooming, but oral manipulation remained relatively static. In phase 2, heifers in the brush treatment showed similar usage on d 8 versus d 13 (3.8 vs. 3.7 min, 95% CI: 1.9-6.8 vs. 1.9-6.5 min). Compared with heifers with continuous brush access on d 8-12, those in the control treatment showed more brush use on d 13, both for oral manipulation (6.6 vs. 2.5 min, 95% CI: 3.8-11.1 vs. 1.3-4.5 min) and grooming (3.5 vs. 1.2 min, 95% CI: 1.9-5.7 vs. 0.5-2.3 min). Our study is the first to characterize stationary brush use in weaned dairy heifers. We conclude that, despite lacking previous experience, heifers use brushes for both grooming and oral manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M C Van Os
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Savannah A Goldstein
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Daniel M Weary
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Marina A G von Keyserlingk
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z6, Canada.
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Abstract
It is common practice in the dairy industry to separate the calf from the cow immediately after parturition, and in most parts of the world calves are housed individually during the milk-feeding period. Early and abrupt separation has major implications for the calf's physical and psychological development. In this Research Reflection short review we present and discuss the main housing systems and management practices regarding early weaning in today's dairy industry. Main benefits and disadvantages are critically addressed, and possible future research suggested. Furthermore, major policy issues related to consumers, scientific recommendations and economic performance of farms have been identified, as well as future drivers for more viable housing solutions for neonatal calves. This review serves as an introduction and preamble to the second section of this Special Issue, which is dedicated to cow-calf contact management systems.
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Ryan M, Waters R, Wolfensohn S. Assessment of the Welfare of Experimental Cattle and Pigs Using the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11040999. [PMID: 33918263 PMCID: PMC8065713 DOI: 10.3390/ani11040999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Animal Welfare Assessment Grid is a method for assessing quality of life, originally designed for experimental primates. This study adapts this welfare assessment tool for use in cattle and pigs, by adapting the factors included in welfare assessment for these species and including data which had been collected previously as the standard approach to monitoring these species in a research setting. The main intention is that the results presented will demonstrate how the data collected in a research environment can be improved for welfare assessment and also demonstrate the applicability of this welfare assessment tool to cattle and pigs. This paper emphasises the importance of including behavioural information when assessing welfare and not simply relying on assessment of physical condition. As a tool for assessing quality of life over a lifetime, the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid also demonstrated the potential for aiding the decision-making of when euthanasia should be performed. Abstract The Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) is a method for assessing quality of life, originally designed for experimental primates. This study adapts the AWAG for use in cattle and pigs, by adapting the factors included for these species and including data which had been collected previously as the standard approach to monitoring these species in research. The intention is that the results presented here will allow the future data collected for experimental cattle and pigs to be optimised for inclusion in an AWAG. Data were collected from two vaccine assessment studies at the Pirbright Institute. Factors were scored for every recorded event using retrospective data and CCTV clips. There was a lack of behavioural data recorded in both studies, which limited the accuracy of assessing each animal’s welfare. This paper emphasises the importance of including behavioural information when assessing welfare and not simply relying on assessment of physical condition. Scores peaked following an exponential rise as animals reached set humane end points. This demonstrated the potential of using the AWAG to aid the decision-making of when euthanasia should be performed. Our study shows the AWAG to be a useful tool for assessing welfare, which can be used in harm:benefit assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Ryan
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine, VSM Building, Daphne Jackson Rd, Guildford GU2 7AL, UK;
- Correspondence:
| | - Ryan Waters
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK;
| | - Sarah Wolfensohn
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine, VSM Building, Daphne Jackson Rd, Guildford GU2 7AL, UK;
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Zhang C, Juniper DT, Meagher RK. Effects of physical enrichment items and social housing on calves’ growth, behaviour and response to novelty. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Kimeli P, VanLeeuwen J, Gitau GK, Heider LC, McKenna SL, Greenwood SJ, Richards S. Evaluation of environmental and comfort improvements on affective welfare in heifer calves on smallholder dairy farms. Prev Vet Med 2021; 189:105296. [PMID: 33662883 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A controlled trial on zero-grazed smallholder dairy farms was conducted to determine the effect of environmental and comfort improvements on sucking and lying behaviours in heifer calves on Kenyan smallholder dairy farms. The study involved 187 heifer calves from 150 farms in two Kenyan counties, 75 farms per county. Farms in one county received animal welfare training and improvements in the calf pen that included: 1) placement of rubber mats on the lying area; 2) fixing gaps/holes in the flooring and roofing; and 3) attaching a rubber nipple on the wall of the calf pen. During the 16-month data collection period, bimonthly farm visits were used to collect data on lying time (using accelerometers) and other animal- and farm-level factors. Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression was used to model daily lying times and frequency of lying bouts, with the animal as a random effect. Over the visits, daily lying times and lying bout durations averaged 12.6-86.7 min/bout, respectively, while the median for the frequency of lying bouts was between 30-46/day. Provision of rubber nipples for non-nutritive sucking lowered proportions of cross-sucking, self-sucking and object-sucking behaviours slightly but not significantly. In a final daily lying time model, superficial lymph node enlargement, body condition score and use of wood shaving/ sawdust/ crop waste as beddings had positive associations. In contrast, group housing and rubber mat use had negative associations with daily lying time. In an interaction term, lying time was significantly higher for calves on clean versus dirty floors if the age was <190 days but this difference diminished significantly in older animals. In a second interaction term, lying time was lower for calves with leaking versus non-leaking roofs, regardless of the pen floor level, but lying time was higher on elevated than non-elevated floors if the roof was intact. In the final model of the frequency of lying bouts, the use of a rubber mat, the years of experience in dairy farming, and calf body weight had negative associations. In contrast, body condition score had a positive association. In an interaction, the frequency of daily lying bouts was lower on clean floors than dirty floors, irrespective of tethering status, but when the floor was dirty, the lying bouts were higher for animals not tethered than the ones sometimes tethered. We conclude that the comfort improvements enhanced the welfare and lying experience of heifer calves on smallholder dairy farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Kimeli
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada; Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - J VanLeeuwen
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - G K Gitau
- Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, Kenya
| | - L C Heider
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - S L McKenna
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - S J Greenwood
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - S Richards
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Bruno K, DeSocio E, White J, Wilson BK. Effect of environmental enrichment devices on behavior of individually housed beef heifers. Transl Anim Sci 2021; 4:txaa220. [PMID: 33409471 PMCID: PMC7772664 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txaa220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In research settings, certain experimental designs may require cattle to be housed individually. Individual housing of cattle may make the animals more susceptible to boredom and result the development of undesirable behaviors. The objective of this trial was to investigate the effects of different environmental enrichment devices (EED) on the behavior and feed intake of heifers. Twenty mixed-breed single-sourced heifers were used in a completely random design. Heifers were housed individually (3.05 m × 3.66 m) with the ability to have physical contact with adjacent heifers. Heifers were randomly assigned to one of the four EED treatments, including a jolly ball (JLY), a broom head (SRCH), a 182 cm 5-knot rope (RP), or a Pas-a-Fier roller (RLR). Behavior was recorded using 8 h long daily instantaneous scan sampling in 30 min intervals over three periods: 7 d prior to EED addition (PR), 7 d with EED (EDP), and 7 d after removing EED (PST). Standing, laying, eating, drinking, and exploratory behaviors were evaluated. Exploratory behaviors included: interaction with water trough, feed bunk, water pipe, pen gate, pen wall, EED, grooming, or allogrooming. Rumination behavior was also recorded during each observation time. Time standing and standing bouts were greatest for RP (P < 0.05), while JLY and RLR spent the most time lying down (P < 0.05). All heifers spent the majority of observation times lying down, followed by solely standing (P < 0.05). Heifers on the RP treatment interacted the most with their EED, followed by SRCH (P < 0.001). Rumination increased during EDP compared to PR (P < 0.001). These results suggest that a RP suspended from the ceiling in the pen may be used most frequently by individually housed beef heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Bruno
- Oklahoma State University, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Stillwater, OK
| | - Elizabeth DeSocio
- Oklahoma State University, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Stillwater, OK
| | - Jason White
- Oklahoma State University, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Stillwater, OK
| | - Blake K Wilson
- Oklahoma State University, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Stillwater, OK
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Zobel G, Nawroth C. Current state of knowledge on the cognitive capacities of goats and its potential to inform species-specific enrichment. Small Rumin Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2020.106208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Horvath KC, Allen AN, Miller-Cushon EK. Effects of access to stationary brushes and chopped hay on behavior and performance of individually housed dairy calves. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:8421-8432. [PMID: 32564951 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-18042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Providing individually housed dairy calves with opportunities for a greater range of natural behaviors, including foraging and grooming, has broad benefits for their behavioral development and performance. We evaluated the effects of providing hay and stationary brushes on performance and time engaged in feeding, grooming, and nonnutritive oral behaviors. Holstein calves were individually housed and assigned at 14 d of age to 1 of 4 treatments providing: a stationary brush (n = 10), chopped coastal bermudagrass hay (n = 9), both a stationary brush and chopped bermudagrass (n = 10), or no brushes nor additional feed (n = 10). Calves had ad libitum access to calf starter and water and were provided 8 L/d pasteurized waste milk fed in 2 meals via a teat bucket. Beginning at 43 d of age, calves were weaned across 10 d. Solid feed intake was measured daily, and growth parameters and cleanliness were measured weekly. Behavioral data were collected on 2 consecutive days at 25 ± 3 d, recorded continuously from video within daylight for 12 h. Provision of hay tended to increase solid feed intake and average daily gain during weaning, and calves provided a brush had improved coat cleanliness during weaning. Calves performed nonnutritive oral behavior, primarily directed toward the pen, with peaks in these abnormal behaviors around milk feeding. The duration of teat-directed nonnutritive sucking was reduced by access to either hay or a brush, compared with neither (3.2 vs. 6.8 min/12 h observation). Provision of a brush reduced pen-directed sucking (38.4 vs. 59.0 min/12 h observation), particularly at milk-feeding time, and also reduced standing time around milk feeding. Self-grooming was not affected by brush or hay access, but provision of the brush increased total time engaged in grooming behaviors (52.9 vs. 40.2 min/12 h observation). These results support benefits of accommodating natural foraging and grooming behaviors, yet reveal a high prevalence of nonnutritive oral behaviors in dairy calves. Overall, these findings underline the importance of environmental complexity in early rearing environments, and compel further consideration of behavioral needs of dairy calves to reduce the development of abnormal behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Horvath
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611
| | - A N Allen
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611
| | - E K Miller-Cushon
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.
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Sharma A, Schuetze C, Phillips CJ. The Management of Cow Shelters (Gaushalas) in India, Including the Attitudes of Shelter Managers to Cow Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10020211. [PMID: 32012807 PMCID: PMC7070297 DOI: 10.3390/ani10020211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Sheltering of old, unproductive and abandoned cows in traditional cow shelters (gaushalas) is an ancient practice in India. Cows are venerated as mother goddesses by the Hindu majority population of the country and their slaughter is illegal in most states. Shelters are funded by the public, businesses, including corporate philanthropy, charitable societies, temple trusts and government. The manager of the shelter provides an interface between visitors, workers and cattle and is best able to understand the challenges of running shelters. The objective of this study was to collect and analyze information about the routine operations of the shelters and elicit managers’ attitudes towards cows and cow welfare. We visited 54 shelters, which admitted cattle all year, vaccinated them against endemic diseases and dewormed them. Limited biosecurity measures and erratic waste disposal raise concerns about public health. All the managers felt that the welfare of cows in their respective shelters was important and should be improved, but they were less certain that their knowledge of animal welfare was adequate. There was more recognition of local community support than government support and both were acknowledged to be more moral than financial support. Engagement and training of shelter managers as vital stakeholders in welfare improvement processes will enhance the sustainability of these traditional institutions. Abstract Gaushala management is a specialized profession requiring particular skills relating to the management of cow shelters or gaushalas, which are traditional and ancient Indian institutions that shelter old, unproductive and abandoned cows, The 1800 registered cow shelters in India have managers who are important stakeholders in the management of cows in these unique institutions. It is important to survey the routine management of these shelters and attitudes of the managers towards cow welfare to identify the constraints and welfare issues. We visited 54 shelters in six states of India for a face-to-face structured interview of the managers. Quantitative data collection included questions on demographics, routine management operations, protocols followed in the shelters and attitudes of the managers towards cow welfare. All shelters except one were managed by males, half of them were in the age range of 45–65 years, were university graduates or post-graduates, with 5–15 years shelter management experience, and with the majority having lived in rural areas for most of their lives. Each shelter housed a median of 232 cattle were housed, out of which 13 were lactating cows. The majority of managers vaccinated their animals against endemic diseases like foot and mouth disease, haemorrhagic septicaemia and black quarter (gangraena emphysematosa) and administered endo-and ectoparasiticidal treatments, however, hardly any screened the cattle for brucellosis and tuberculosis. Only 17% of the shelters had in house veterinarians and most cows died of old age, with an annual mortality rate of 14%. The majority of the shelters allowed the cows to reproduce. Access to pasture was available in only 41% of the shelters, while most allowed some access to yards. Most (57%) had limited biosecurity measures, but 82% of the shelters disposed of the carcasses by deep burial on their own premises or through the municipality, with 18% disposing of them in open spaces or nearby creeks. About one half of the shelters maintained records of the protocols followed routinely. Charitable societies ran half of the shelters, mostly through public donations, with accounts audited regularly. Most managers thought that shelter cows’ welfare was important and that they should attempt to improve it. They were less in agreement that their knowledge of animal welfare was adequate. Local support, more moral than financial, was recognized more than government support. Managers perceived cow welfare as important from a religious perspective, citing the mother god and caring for abandoned animals as frequent themes in their definition of cow welfare. Caring for animals, mother and goddess were key elements in managers’ perception of animal welfare. The recommendations arising from this survey include that the shelter managers should be involved in the decision-making process for the welfare of cows in shelters, which is vital for the sustainability of these unique institutions. Welfare could be improved by strict compliance with biosecurity measures and disease surveillance protocols, avoidance of unrestricted reproduction in cows and separation of males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvind Sharma
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus 4343, Australia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-472-622-438
| | - Catherine Schuetze
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia;
| | - Clive J.C. Phillips
- Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus 4343, Australia;
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Costa JH, Cantor MC, Adderley NA, Neave HW. Key animal welfare issues in commercially raised dairy calves: social environment, nutrition, and painful procedures. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2019-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Dairy calf welfare concerns are growing and new evidence suggests that the early life environment influences appropriate physical, behavioral, and cognitive development lasting into adulthood. This review highlights key evidence for the impacts of housing, diets, and painful procedures on calf welfare. We argue that these topics are currently critical welfare concerns, but are not the only points of concern. In addition to environmental requirements to maintain optimal health, dairy calves experience other challenges including social and nutritional restrictions. Individual housing is associated with impaired behavioral development and cognitive ability. Pair and group housing can mitigate some of these negative effects and should be encouraged. Restrictive milk allowances (<15% of body weight) lead to poor growth and hunger; these welfare concerns can be addressed with proper enhanced milk allowances and gradual weaning programs. Finally, dehorning is a critical animal welfare issue when pain control is withheld; calves show negative behavioral, physiological, and emotional responses during and after dehorning. The combined use of local anaesthetics and analgesics can mitigate these effects. An industry shift toward providing social companionship, enhanced milk allowances, and pain control during painful procedures would help to improve the welfare of dairy calves in intensive commercial rearing facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao H.C. Costa
- Dairy Science Program, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, 325 Cooper Drive, Lexington, KY 40546-0215, USA
| | - Melissa C. Cantor
- Dairy Science Program, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, 325 Cooper Drive, Lexington, KY 40546-0215, USA
| | - Nicola A. Adderley
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Heather W. Neave
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Pasture Access Affects Behavioral Indicators of Wellbeing in Dairy Cows. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9110902. [PMID: 31683918 PMCID: PMC6912433 DOI: 10.3390/ani9110902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Dairy cows in Europe and the United States are increasingly housed indoors year-round. Even cows with pasture access are usually kept inside during the winter and around calving. However, animal welfare scientists and dairy consumers are concerned that full-time housing impacts cattle welfare. We investigated how pasture influences behavioral indicators of wellbeing. Using cow pedometers, we recorded 29 animals’ lying and walking activity during 18 days of pasture access and 18 days of indoor housing. Cattle at pasture had fewer lying bouts but longer lying times, indicating they were more comfortable and less restless. Lying behavior was also more synchronous outdoors, with most of the herd lying at the same time. These results indicate pasture provides a comfortable surface and reduces competition for lying space. Furthermore, cows at pasture walked farther, with potential benefits for their physical health and psychological wellbeing. Our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that pasture access improves dairy cow welfare. As a society, we must decide whether full-time housing is a price worth paying for dairy products. Abstract Dairy cows are increasingly housed indoors, either year-round or for long stretches over the winter and around parturition. This may create health and welfare issues. In cattle, lying and walking are highly motivated, and herds synchronize lying behavior when they have comfortable surfaces and little competition for space. Lying and walking activity can, therefore, indicate good welfare. Using a repeated measures crossover design, we gave 29 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows 18 days of overnight pasture access (PAS treatment) and 18 days of indoor housing (PEN treatment). Accelerometers recorded their lying and locomotory behavior. We measured behavioral synchrony with Fleiss’ Kappa and analyzed the accelerometry data using linear mixed models. Compared to the PEN treatment, the PAS treatment had longer overnight lying durations (χ21 = 27.51, p < 0.001), fewer lying bouts (χ21 = 22.53, p < 0.001), longer lying bouts (χ21 = 25.53, p < 0.001), and fewer transitions up or down (χ21 = 16.83, p < 0.001). Herd lying behavior was also more synchronous at pasture (χ21 = 230.25, p < 0.001). In addition, nightly step counts were higher in the PAS treatment than the PEN treatment (χ21 = 2946.31, p < 0.001). These results suggest pasture access improves dairy cow welfare by increasing comfort, reducing competition and boredom, and facilitating motivated behavior.
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Liu J, Zhao Z, Avillan JJ, Call DR, Davis M, Sischo WM, Zhang A. Dairy farm soil presents distinct microbiota and varied prevalence of antibiotic resistance across housing areas. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 254:113058. [PMID: 31454571 PMCID: PMC7646532 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Dairy cattle of different ages experience different living conditions and varied frequency of antibiotic administration that likely influence the distribution of microbiome and resistome in ways that reflect different risks of microbial transmission. To assess the degree of variance in these distributions, fecal and soil samples were collected from six distinct housing areas on commercial dairy farms (n = 7) in Washington State. 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that the microbiota differed between different on-farm locations in feces and soil, and in both cases, the microbiota of dairy calves was often distinct from others (P < 0.05). Thirty-two specific antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were widely distributed on dairies, of which several clinically relevant ARGs (including cfr, cfrB, and optrA) were identified for the first time at U.S. dairies. Overall, ARGs were observed more frequently in feces and soil from dairy calves and heifers than from hospital, fresh, lactation and dry pens. Droplet-digital PCR demonstrated that the absolute abundance of floR varied greatly across housing areas and this gene was enriched the most in calves and heifers. Furthermore, in an extended analysis with 14 dairies, environmental soils in calf pens had the most antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli followed by heifer and hospital pens. All soil E. coli isolates (n = 1,905) are resistant to at least 4 different antibiotics, and the PFGE analysis indicated that florfenicol-resistant E. coli is probably shared across geographically-separated farms. This study identified a discrete but predictable distribution of antibiotic resistance genes and organisms, which is important for designing mitigation for higher risk areas on dairy farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China; Institute of Marine Biology, College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China; Department of Food Science and Technology, Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Zhe Zhao
- Institute of Marine Biology, College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Johannetsy J Avillan
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Douglas R Call
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Margaret Davis
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - William M Sischo
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Anyun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
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Mattiello S, Battini M, De Rosa G, Napolitano F, Dwyer C. How Can We Assess Positive Welfare in Ruminants? Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E758. [PMID: 31581658 PMCID: PMC6826499 DOI: 10.3390/ani9100758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Until now, most research has focused on the development of indicators of negative welfare, and relatively few studies provide information on valid, reliable, and feasible indicators addressing positive aspects of animal welfare. However, a lack of suffering does not guarantee that animals are experiencing a positive welfare state. The aim of the present review is to identify promising valid and reliable animal-based indicators for the assessment of positive welfare that might be included in welfare assessment protocols for ruminants, and to discuss them in the light of the five domains model, highlighting possible gaps to be filled by future research. Based on the existing literature in the main databases, each indicator was evaluated in terms of its validity, reliability, and on-farm feasibility. Some valid indicators were identified, but a lot of the validity evidence is based on their absence when a negative situation is present; furthermore, only a few indicators are available in the domains of Nutrition and Health. Reliability has been seldom addressed. On-farm feasibility could be increased by developing specific sampling strategies and/or relying on the use of video- or automatic-recording devices. In conclusion, several indicators are potentially available (e.g., synchronisation of lying and feeding, coat or fleece condition, qualitative behaviour assessment), but further research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Mattiello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Monica Battini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe De Rosa
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy.
| | - Fabio Napolitano
- Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy.
| | - Cathy Dwyer
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, SRUC, Easter Bush Campus, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK.
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Velasquez-Munoz A, Manriquez D, Paudyal S, Solano G, Han H, Callan R, Velez J, Pinedo P. Effect of a mechanical grooming brush on the behavior and health of recently weaned heifer calves. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:284. [PMID: 31395062 PMCID: PMC6686348 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2033-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Calf stress at weaning and during transition to group pens represents a concern in dairy operations. Favoring natural behaviors, such as grooming, may help on reducing this challenge. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of a mechanical grooming brush on behavior and health of recently weaned calves, after transferring from individual to group housing. Two treatment groups (control [CON, n = 81]; automated brush [AB, n = 81]) were compared enrolling Holstein heifers (94 ± 7 d old) that were monitored for 20 days. Four cohorts, considering one CON and one AB group (19–20 calves/pen/cohort) were enrolled sequentially. Each calf was weighed, clinically evaluated, and affixed with a 3-D accelerometer sensor attached to the ear at enrolment. Continuous measurements (min/h) were generated for the following behaviors: Not-active, active, highly active, eating, and ruminating. Cameras for continuous video recording were installed in each pen, and calves were weighted at the last day of the study (d 20). Behavioral data were summarized as daily averages (min/h). Data was examined using repeated measures analysis for nested factors, with day as the time unit. Results Overall, calves had their first interaction with the brush within 2.5 days with a mean (SE) of 7 (±9.6) h after being transferred to group pens. A significant effect was determined for the interaction day by treatment on the time spent not-active and eating. Average not-active time was greater in CON compared to AB (22.8 ± 0.82 min/h vs. 21.7 ± 0.82 min/h), while eating time was greater in AB compared with CON (7.01 ± 0.40 min/h vs. 6.43 ± 0.40 min/h). Treatment groups had a similar weight gain and time to the first disease. Conclusions We concluded that the use of a mechanical brush influenced behavior, reducing not-active time, while increasing eating time. The consequences of this change in activity require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Velasquez-Munoz
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Diego Manriquez
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Sushil Paudyal
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Gilberto Solano
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Hyungchul Han
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Science, California Polytechnic University Pomona, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
| | - Robert Callan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Juan Velez
- Aurora Organic Farms, Boulder, CO, 80302, USA
| | - Pablo Pinedo
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
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McConnachie E, Smid AMC, Thompson AJ, Weary DM, Gaworski MA, von Keyserlingk MAG. Cows are highly motivated to access a grooming substrate. Biol Lett 2019; 14:rsbl.2018.0303. [PMID: 30089661 PMCID: PMC6127119 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In natural environments, cattle use trees and other abrasive surfaces to scratch and groom themselves. Modern indoor dairy cattle housing systems often lack appropriate grooming substrates, restricting the animals' ability to groom. We assessed the motivation of dairy cows to access an automated mechanical brush, a grooming resource that can be implemented in indoor cattle housing systems. Cows were trained to push a weighted gate to access either fresh feed (positive control), a mechanical brush or the same space without a brush (negative control). Weight on the gate was gradually increased until all cows failed to open it. The weight each cow was willing to push to access each resource was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Despite differences in methodology used to obtain data on motivation to access feed and the brush, the outcomes were very similar; cows worked as hard for access to fresh feed and the brush (p = 0.94) and less hard for access to the empty space (compared with fresh feed: p < 0.01; brush: p < 0.02). These results indicate that cows are highly motivated to access a mechanical brush and that it is an important resource for cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie McConnachie
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T1Z6
| | - Anne Marieke C Smid
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T1Z6
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T1Z6
| | - Daniel M Weary
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T1Z6
| | - Marek A Gaworski
- Department of Production Management and Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marina A G von Keyserlingk
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T1Z6
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Repeated forced-swimming test in intact female rats: behaviour, oestrous cycle and enriched environment. Behav Pharmacol 2018; 29:509-518. [PMID: 29595539 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Psychopharmacology used animal models to study the effects of drugs on brain and behaviour. The repeated forced-swimming test (rFST), which is used to assess the gradual effects of antidepressants on rat behaviour, was standardized only in males. Because of the known sex differences in rats, experimental conditions standardized for males may not apply to female rats. Therefore, the present work aimed to standardize experimental and housing conditions for the rFST in female rats. Young or adult Wistar female rats were housed in standard or enriched environments for different experimental periods. As assessed in tested and nontested females, all rats had reached sexual maturity by the time behavioural testing occurred. The rFST consisted of a 15-min session of forced swimming (pretest), followed by 5-min sessions at 1 (test), 7 (retest 1) and 14 days (retest 2) later. The oestrous cycle was registered immediately before every behavioural session. All sessions were videotaped for further analysis. The immobility time of female rats remained similar over the different sessions of rFST independent of the age, the phase of the oestrous cycle or the housing conditions. These data indicate that rFST in female Wistar rats may be reproducible in different experimental conditions.
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Nielsen PP, Jensen MB, Halekoh U, Lidfors L. Effect of portion size and milk flow on the use of a milk feeder and the development of cross-sucking in dairy calves. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Mandel R, Harazy H, Gygax L, Nicol CJ, Ben-David A, Whay HR, Klement E. Short communication: Detection of lameness in dairy cows using a grooming device. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:1511-1517. [PMID: 29153531 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Lameness in dairy cattle is a common welfare problem with significant economic implications. All too often, appropriate treatment is delayed or neglected due to insufficient detection of lame cows. Brush usage is considered a low-resilience activity; that is, one that typically decreases when energy resources are limited or when the cost involved in the activity increases, such as during sickness and stress. The aim of this study was to determine the association between brush usage and different degrees of lameness. Locomotion scores of 209 lactating Holstein dairy cows were collected individually once a week for 14 consecutive weeks, using a 5-point visual assessment scoring system (1 = nonlame, 2 = uneven gait, 3 = mild lameness, 4 = lameness, 5 = severe lameness). Daily brush usage was collected automatically from 3 cowsheds of similar size and structure located on a commercial dairy farm. In each of the 3 cowsheds, 2 brushes were installed, one next to the feed bunk, and the other away from the feed bunk (on the opposite side of the cowshed). Linear and generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the association between locomotion scores and daily measures of brush usage. We found a significant interaction between locomotion score and brush location (near to/distant from feed bunk) on the daily proportion of cows using the brush at least once and on daily duration of brush usage. Specifically, we showed that lame and severely lame cows did not use brushes that were installed away from the feed bunk but continued to use brushes that were installed next to the feed bunk. Brush usage by cows with uneven gait (locomotion score 2) or with mild lameness (locomotion score 3) did not differ from that of nonlame cows (locomotion score 1). The results of this study suggest that monitoring of daily usage of brushes located away from the feed bunk could be a useful method for detecting lameness and severe lameness in dairy cows. However, the use of this method to detect mild lameness or cases of abnormal gait is, at this stage, less promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Mandel
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland.
| | - H Harazy
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - L Gygax
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Agroscope Tänikon, Switzerland
| | - C J Nicol
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, BS40 5DU, United Kingdom
| | - A Ben-David
- Hachaklait Veterinary Services Ltd., PO Box 3039 Caesarea, Israel
| | - H R Whay
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, BS40 5DU, United Kingdom
| | - E Klement
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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Zobel G, Neave HW, Henderson HV, Webster J. Calves Use an Automated Brush and a Hanging Rope When Pair-Housed. Animals (Basel) 2017; 7:ani7110084. [PMID: 29120356 PMCID: PMC5704113 DOI: 10.3390/ani7110084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Improving calf housing is growing in interest as standard management meets only the basic needs of calves. In an observational study, we found that young calves interacted with an automated brush and a rope when given the opportunity. There was less variation in how much calves preferred the brush to the rope. Some calves used the rope as much as or more than the brush. We suggest that rope is a feasible, cheap, and farmer-friendly environmental enrichment option for housed calves; nonetheless, provision of multiple enrichment options should be considered to encourage use and meet individual calf preferences. Abstract Calf housing often only meets the basic needs of calves, but there is a growing interest in providing enrichments. This study described the behaviour of calves when they were given the opportunity to interact with two commonly available enrichment items. Female and male calves (approximately 11 days old) were pair-housed in 8 identical pens fitted with an automated brush and a hanging rope. Frequency and duration of behaviours were recorded on 3 separate days (from 12:00 until 08:00 the following day. Calves spent equal time using the brush and rope (27.1 min/day), but there was less variation in the use of the brush as opposed to the rope (coefficient of variation, CV: 23 vs. 78%, respectively). Calves had more frequent (94 bouts, CV: 24%) and shorter (17.8 s/bout, CV: 24%) brush use bouts compared to fewer (38 bouts, CV: 43%) and longer (38.3 s/bout, CV: 53%) rope use bouts. There was a diurnal pattern of use for both items. Frequency of play was similar to rope use, but total time playing was 8% of rope and brush use. Variability among calves suggested that individual preference existed; however, the social dynamics of the pair-housed environment were not measured and therefore could have influenced brush and rope use. Multiple enrichment items should be considered when designing improvements to calf housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gosia Zobel
- AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
| | - Heather W Neave
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | | | - James Webster
- AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
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Koistinen T, Sepponen J, Korhonen HT. Interaction with a bovine cortical bone in the Finnraccoon ( Nyctereutes procyonoides ussuriensis ). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Some like it varied: Individual differences in preference for feed variety in dairy heifers. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Toaff-Rosenstein RL, Velez M, Tucker CB. Technical note: Use of an automated grooming brush by heifers and potential for radiofrequency identification-based measurements of this behavior. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:8430-8437. [PMID: 28803017 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-12984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Healthy cattle readily use grooming brushes but this behavior subsides when animals become ill. Tracking use of a brush may provide an opportunity for health monitoring, especially if the process could be automated. We assessed how healthy heifers groom themselves on a brush and hypothesized that radiofrequency identification (RFID) could be used to accurately and automatically record this behavior. Angus and Hereford heifers (n = 16) were fitted with 2 ultra-high-frequency RFID ear tags and monitored in groups of 8 while housed in a pen with an electronic brush, video cameras, and 4 RFID antennas. Each heifer was observed for a 6-h period using continuous video recordings, and brush contact was characterized in terms of anatomic region involved (head/neck, trunk, or posterior) and when not touching the brush but within 1 body length of it. The RFID data were collected for the same period and then processed such that intervals of up to 16 s with no detections but contained between 2 recordings were also considered positive (animal in brush proximity). Brush proximity (RFID) was regressed against brush contact duration (video) and the sensitivity and specificity for each individual heifer calculated. Across heifers, the majority of brush use involved the head/neck, although a few heifers demonstrated relatively large amounts of posterior contact, which contributed to false-negative readings when antennas failed to read the ear tags. Furthermore, for the majority of time that animals were near the brush, they were not in contact with it but rather standing or lying nearby, resulting in false-positive readings. It follows that the ability of the RFID system to accurately detect brush contact varied widely across individual heifers (sensitivity 0.54-1.0; specificity 0.59-0.98), with RFID generally overestimating the duration of brush proximity relative to actual time spent in brush contact. The implication is that RFID-based ear tag recording of brush proximity relative to continuous video observations of contact does not yield accurate results in certain heifers and therefore, as currently configured, is not a reliable representation of this type of grooming behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Velez
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Davis 95616
| | - Cassandra B Tucker
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616.
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