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Cai A, Wang S, Li P, Descovich K, Fu T, Lian H, Gao T, Phillips CJC. The Effect of an Exercise Paddock on Dairy Cow Behavior, Health, and Nutrient Digestion during the Transition from Pregnancy to Lactation. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2353. [PMID: 39199886 PMCID: PMC11350652 DOI: 10.3390/ani14162353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Providing an exercise paddock may improve the behavior and health of cows in their dry period. We compared a control group of cows in a shed with no exercise paddock and an experimental group in the same shed but with access to an exercise paddock. Both groups had ad libitum total mixed ration (TMR) indoors combined with access to a paddock (Group EX). The other group was just offered TMR indoors (Group IN). Total lying time was longer for cows without the exercise paddock (859 min/d) than for those with the paddock (733 min/d) (p = 0.012). Lying bouts were shorter, there were more allogrooming bouts, and drinking time was longer if an exercise paddock was provided. Cows with the paddock spent on average 76 min/d in paddock activity. Non-esterified fatty acids in the blood were increased by providing the exercise paddock. No significant differences in postpartum milk yield and calf weight of dry cows with or without access to exercise paddock were observed. However, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibility were increased by providing the exercise paddock. The results suggest that providing an exercise paddock for cows in their dry period increased activity, including allogrooming, reduced lying, and improved digestibility of some major nutrients in the feed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (A.C.); (S.W.); (P.L.); (T.F.); (H.L.)
| | - Shiwei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (A.C.); (S.W.); (P.L.); (T.F.); (H.L.)
| | - Pengtao Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (A.C.); (S.W.); (P.L.); (T.F.); (H.L.)
| | - Kris Descovich
- Center for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton 4343, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Tong Fu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (A.C.); (S.W.); (P.L.); (T.F.); (H.L.)
| | - Hongxia Lian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (A.C.); (S.W.); (P.L.); (T.F.); (H.L.)
| | - Tengyun Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; (A.C.); (S.W.); (P.L.); (T.F.); (H.L.)
| | - Clive J. C. Phillips
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 1, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
- Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
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Vogt A, Barth K, Waiblinger S, König von Borstel U. Can a gradual weaning and separation process reduce weaning distress in dam-reared dairy calves? A comparison with the 2-step method. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:5942-5961. [PMID: 38490545 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-23809] [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: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The weaning and separation phase remains one of the biggest challenges for cow-calf contact systems, but a gradual process that better mimics the naturally occurring reduction in milk intake has not yet been scientifically investigated. Therefore, the aim of our study was to compare behavioral and physiological indicators of distress in 3-mo-old dam-reared dairy calves (with previous full-time cow-calf contact) weaned and separated either via gradual reduction of contact time with the dam (GR; 1 wk of half-day contact, 1 wk of morning contact, and 1 wk of fence-line contact before complete separation, n = 18) or via 2-step weaning using a nose flap (NF, 2 wk of access to the dam with a nose flap, 1 wk of fence-line contact before complete separation, n = 18). Behavior was recorded 1 wk before (or for lying 3 wk before) weaning start and during the 3 wk weaning and separation period with direct observations on 4 d/wk or via accelerometers (locomotor play, lying behavior). Blood and fecal samples were taken twice per week from weaning start until 3 wk after weaning start. Calves were weighed weekly. Statistical analysis was conducted using (generalized) linear mixed models. Over the whole weaning and separation phase, NF calves showed a stronger decrease in the number of lying bouts, amount of locomotor play, and ADG, as well as a higher increase in TMR feeding time compared with GR calves, whereas GR calves vocalized more often and showed more searching behavior than NF calves. Also, the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio of NF calves was elevated on d 3 after insertion of the nose flaps compared with baseline, but showed no change for GR calves on any sampling day. Overall, results point toward a favorable effect of a gradual weaning strategy on reduction of weaning and separation distress in dam-reared dairy calves, but the method requires further improvement from the protocol used in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anina Vogt
- Division of Animal Husbandry, Behaviour and Welfare, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Kerstin Barth
- Institute of Organic Farming, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, 23847 Westerau, Germany
| | - Susanne Waiblinger
- Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Uta König von Borstel
- Division of Animal Husbandry, Behaviour and Welfare, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Adcock SJJ, Downey BC, Owens C, Tucker CB. Behavioral changes in the first 3 weeks after disbudding in dairy calves. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:6365-6374. [PMID: 37500438 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23237] [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: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Hot-iron disbudding, the practice of cauterizing horn bud tissue to prevent horn growth in dairy calves, results in behavioral changes indicative of pain in the first few days after the procedure. However, few studies have quantified behavioral changes in the following weeks, while the burn wounds are still healing. Female Holstein calves were disbudded with a heated iron and pain relief (5.5 mL lidocaine cornual nerve block and 1 mg/kg oral meloxicam) at 4 to 10 d of age (n = 19) or not disbudded (n = 19). Calves wore ear tag accelerometers that reported the dominant behavior being performed at 1-min intervals from 3 to 21 d after disbudding. Compared with age-matched controls, disbudded calves tended to spend more time inactive throughout the observation period, ruminated less in the first 3 to 11 d after disbudding, and sucked more from a milk bottle beginning 5 d after disbudding until the end of the 21-d observation period. In addition to the accelerometer data, live observations of sleeping (using a behavioral proxy), lying, and ruminating were collected using instantaneous sampling at 5-min intervals for 24-h periods 3, 10, and 17 d after disbudding. Disbudded calves slept with their head down more on all live observation days and spent more time lying on the 17th d after disbudding, but ruminating did not differ compared with controls, in contrast to the accelerometer results. More time spent inactive, sleeping, and lying, and less time spent ruminating (as indicated by the accelerometer) can be interpreted as attempts to reduce painful stimulation of the disbudding wounds and allocate energy to healing. It is unclear whether the greater amount of sucking in the disbudded calves is nutritive (milk present) or non-nutritive (milk absent), as the algorithm did not distinguish the type of sucking, and further research is needed to explore the factors underlying this effect. We conclude that disbudding alters daily behavior patterns for at least 3 wk, far beyond the duration of recommended pain medication, raising additional welfare concerns about the procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J J Adcock
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706; Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Blair C Downey
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Chela Owens
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Cassandra B Tucker
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616.
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Riley BB, Duthie CA, Corbishley A, Mason C, Bowen JM, Bell DJ, Haskell MJ. Intrinsic calf factors associated with the behavior of healthy pre-weaned group-housed dairy-bred calves. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1204580. [PMID: 37601764 PMCID: PMC10435862 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1204580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Technology-derived behaviors are researched for disease detection in artificially-reared calves. Whilst existing studies demonstrate differences in behaviors between healthy and diseased calves, intrinsic calf factors (e.g., sex and birthweight) that may affect these behaviors have received little systematic study. This study aimed to understand the impact of a range of calf factors on milk feeding and activity variables of dairy-bred calves. Calves were group-housed from ~7 days to 39 days of age. Seven liters of milk replacer was available daily from an automatic milk feeder, which recorded feeding behaviors and live-weight. Calves were health scored daily and a tri-axial accelerometer used to record activity variables. Healthy calves were selected by excluding data collected 3 days either side of a poor health score or a treatment event. Thirty-one calves with 10 days each were analyzed. Mixed models were used to identify which of live-weight, age, sex, season of birth, age of inclusion into the group, dam parity, birthweight, and sire breed type (beef or dairy), had a significant influence on milk feeding and activity variables. Heavier calves visited the milk machine more frequently for shorter visits, drank faster and were more likely to drink their daily milk allowance than lighter calves. Older calves had a shorter mean standing bout length and were less active than younger calves. Calves born in summer had a longer daily lying time, performed more lying and standing bouts/day and had shorter mean standing bouts than those born in autumn or winter. Male calves had a longer mean lying bout length, drank more slowly and were less likely to consume their daily milk allowance than their female counterparts. Calves that were born heavier had fewer lying and standing bouts each day, a longer mean standing bout length and drank less milk per visit. Beef-sired calves had a longer mean lying bout length and drank more slowly than their dairy sired counterparts. Intrinsic calf factors influence different healthy calf behaviors in different ways. These factors must be considered in the design of research studies and the field application of behavior-based disease detection tools in artificially reared calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth B. Riley
- Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Clinical Sciences, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alexander Corbishley
- Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Mason
- Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jenna M. Bowen
- Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Bell
- Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Carulla P, Villagrá A, Estellés F, Blanco-Penedo I. Welfare implications on management strategies for rearing dairy calves: A systematic review. Part 1-feeding management. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1148823. [PMID: 37138918 PMCID: PMC10150452 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1148823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Calves are very susceptible to stress in the early stages of life, and it is necessary to ensure maximum welfare. Feeding management has been identified as a major risk factor for calf health and welfare at this stage. However, the management protocol for calf rearing and its impact on animal welfare is unclear. A systematic review of different management strategies for rearing dairy calves according to the three spheres of animal welfare was conducted using an electronic search strategy. In this review, management strategies were studied to identify scientific gaps, to know the welfare problems of these animals in order to prioritize actions and future research and to study the interpretive approach of this management from the three welfare spheres. Methods A protocol was used to analyze and extract information from the studies. Of the 1,783 publications screened, only 351 met the inclusion criteria for the management or welfare of calves' items. Results The publications identified in the search can be divided into two main groups feeding and socialization, based on the main topic of the publication. The main topics that emerged from the search in the feeding management group were milk replacer, colostrum, and weaning, divided into the three main areas of biological functioning and health, natural life and affective states or cognitive judgement. Discussion The main issues to be addressed were the different types of feed consumed by animals from birth to weaning and the weaning management. It has been found that the most researched issues are colostrum and solid starter feed management. Unresolved issues were highlighted, such as the lack of a clear protocol for the administration of milk replacers to reduce hunger and the best management of weaning to reduce stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Carulla
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
- *Correspondence: Patricia Carulla
| | - Arantxa Villagrá
- Centro de Tecnología Animal, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, CITA-IVIA, Polígono de La Esperanza, Segorbe, Castellón, Spain
| | - Fernando Estellés
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Isabel Blanco-Penedo
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Universidad de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Isabel Blanco-Penedo
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Reedman CN, Duffield TF, DeVries TJ, Lissemore KD, Winder CB. Graduate Student Literature Review: Role of pain mitigation on the welfare of dairy calves undergoing disbudding. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:6809-6819. [PMID: 35688730 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21349] [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: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This review synthesizes research findings on the pain and welfare of dairy calves undergoing disbudding procedures. We describe disbudding practices in North America as well as the use and perceptions of pain control for these procedures. Governing bodies across Canada and the United States, including each country's veterinary medical association and nationwide initiatives such as proAction and Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM), recommend or require the use of a local anesthetic, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and a sedative for disbudding procedures. Although the use of pain relief for disbudding has increased over the past decade or so, some in the dairy industry still do not believe that pain control for disbudding is necessary. As a painful procedure, disbudding has numerous welfare impacts on the calf both during and following the procedure that can be categorized under all 3 principles of animal welfare: natural living, biological functioning, and affective state. The use of pain control for disbudding; namely, a local anesthetic and NSAID, can improve welfare outcomes such as procedure-induced pain behavior, cortisol concentrations, mechanical nociceptive threshold, emotional states, and so on, compared with no pain control for the procedure. Although extensive research exists on pain control practices for disbudding, this review identified further gaps in knowledge and areas for future research. Mechanical nociceptive threshold can be evaluated around the disbudding wounds and is a reliable test in older calves; however, this outcome in very young calves after caustic paste disbudding has been reported to be inconclusive compared with that in older calves. As well, research evaluating xylazine sedation for disbudding has reported both potentially positive and negative results that are difficult to interpret or base suggestions on for the use of this drug. Finally, wounds caused by disbudding take a long time to heal (up to 13 wk) and have increased sensitivity for the entire healing process. Therefore, future research should aim to (1) determine accurate behavioral tests for calves under 1 wk of age undergoing disbudding to better understand their experience, (2) further attempt to understand the effects of xylazine sedation for disbudding and potential impacts of providing this medication, and (3) determine more ways to reduce the healing time and pain experienced by the calf after disbudding procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra N Reedman
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1 Canada.
| | - Todd F Duffield
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - Trevor J DeVries
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - Kerry D Lissemore
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - Charlotte B Winder
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1 Canada
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Reedman CN, Duffield TF, DeVries TJ, Lissemore KD, Adcock SJJ, Tucker CB, Parsons SD, Winder CB. Effect of plane of nutrition and analgesic drug treatment on wound healing and pain following cautery disbudding in preweaning dairy calves. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:6220-6239. [PMID: 35570043 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a biologically normal plane of nutrition compared with a limited plane on the primary outcome wound healing, and one dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) compared with 2 on the secondary outcomes: lying behavior, haptoglobin concentrations, and mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) in calves disbudded via cautery iron. Eighty female Holstein calves were enrolled at birth, individually housed, and fed via a Calf Rail system (Förster Technik). A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to assess the effect of plane of nutrition and an additional NSAID. Calves were randomly assigned to a biologically normal plane of nutrition (BN; offered up to 15 L/d) or a limited plane (LP; offered up to 6 L/d) and to receive one or 2 doses of meloxicam. All calves received a lidocaine cornual nerve block and a subcutaneous injection of meloxicam 15 min before cautery disbudding at 18 to 25 d of age, and half the calves received an additional injection of meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg) 3 d after disbudding. Tissue type present, wound diameter, and wound depth were evaluated 2 times per week for 7 to 8 wk as measures of wound healing, lying behavior was recorded beginning 1 to 2 wk before disbudding until 7 to 8 wk after as a behavioral indicator of pain, haptoglobin concentrations were measured once per day for 7 d after disbudding, and MNT was evaluated 2 times/wk for 3 wk. Survival analyses were analyzed using Cox regression models (wound healing) and continuous data were analyzed using mixed-effect linear regression models. Only 12% of horn buds were completely healed by 7 to 8 wk after disbudding and 54% had re-epithelized at this time. At any time, wounds from BN calves were more likely to have had re-epithelization occur compared with wounds from LP calves (hazard ratio: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.18-3.14). Wounds from calves that received only one dose of NSAID were more likely to have re-epithelization occur, compared with wounds from calves given 2 doses (hazard ratio: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.15-3.05). Wounds from BN calves had smaller diameters and depths over time beginning on wk 3 compared with LP calves. Wounds from calves that received an additional NSAID had larger diameters and depths over time beginning on wk 4 and 3 respectively, compared with calves that only received one dose of NSAID. Calves that received an extra NSAID tended to be less sensitive 7, 10, and 17 d after disbudding compared with calves that only received one dose and spent less time lying in the week after disbudding. Calves on the BN milk program were more active compared with LP calves with lower lying times, fewer lying bouts per day, and longer average lying bouts. Our results indicate that a BN milk feeding program for calves can result in faster healing times and more activity, and that providing an extra NSAID 3 d after disbudding appears to slow the healing process but may result in less pain experienced by the calf 1 to 2 wk after the procedure. This study is also among the first to demonstrate that after the complete removal of the horn bud, wounds can take more than 8 weeks to re-epithelize and fully heal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra N Reedman
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Canada.
| | - Todd F Duffield
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - Trevor J DeVries
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - Kerry D Lissemore
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - Sarah J J Adcock
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706
| | - Cassandra B Tucker
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616
| | - Sarah D Parsons
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - Charlotte B Winder
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Canada
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Cow in Motion: A review of the impact of housing systems on movement opportunity of dairy cows and implications on locomotor activity. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Tsakiridis I, Bakaloudi DR, Oikonomidou AC, Dagklis T, Chourdakis M. Exercise during pregnancy: a comparative review of guidelines. J Perinat Med 2020; 48:519-525. [PMID: 32619194 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2019-0419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Exercise during pregnancy may be beneficial provided that there are no contraindications. The aim of this study was to summarize and compare recommendations regarding exercise in pregnancy. Thus, a comparative descriptive review was conducted and included guidelines by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. All compared guidelines recommend that pregnant women without contraindications should undertake physical activities regularly, however, the type of workout performed should be adjusted based on the previous exercise experience and the physical condition of each pregnant woman. A variation among the reviewed guidelines was identified on appropriate and inappropriate activities and on indications to interrupt exercise. To summarize, the adoption of an international up-to-date consensus regarding appropriate exercise during pregnancy may be beneficial in ensuring the safety of the pregnant women while promoting their physical and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Tsakiridis
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra Rafailia Bakaloudi
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Facutly of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Artemis Christina Oikonomidou
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Facutly of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Themistoklis Dagklis
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michail Chourdakis
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Facutly of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Fujiwara M, Haskell MJ, Macrae AI, Rutherford KMD. Impact of Maternal High Stocking Density during the Dry Period on Dairy Calf Health, Behaviour, and Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10060922. [PMID: 32466441 PMCID: PMC7341238 DOI: 10.3390/ani10060922] [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: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Negative impacts of stressful maternal experience during pregnancy on offspring health and behaviour have been reported in various mammalian species including humans, laboratory animals, and farm animals. This study investigated the effect of limited space allowance for dairy cows during late gestation on the growth and behaviour of their offspring during the pre-weaning period. Our results indicated associations between maternal high stocking density and a higher frequency of social behaviours and increased behavioural reactivity to weaning in offspring. Maternal high stocking density also reduced behavioural reactions of healthy offspring to a painful procedure. However, there was no association between maternal high stocking density and offspring growth or behaviour in the first week of life. To our knowledge, this study is the first to attempt to demonstrate associations between maternal stocking density during late pregnancy and offspring behaviour in dairy cattle. Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal stocking density during late pregnancy (approximately 60 ± 4 days before calving) on offspring performance during the pre-weaning period. Forty-five dairy calves were born to cows that went through either industry minimum standards (H: n = 24, high stocking density) or more extensive space allowances (L: n = 21, low stocking density) during the dry period. Body weight and average daily gain during the pre-weaning period (day 1–49) were measured. Observations were made of: (i) activity levels (day 2–6); ii) the level of training required to use an automatic feeder, and behavioural reactions to the group environment (d7); (iii) feeding and social behaviour in the group pen (day 7–21); and (iv) responses to weaning (day 40–49) and disbudding (day 28+). Compared to L calves, H calves made more frequent social contacts with pen mates in the group pen (p = 0.003) and decreased their lying time around weaning (p = 0.045). Among the healthy calves, L calves displayed more severe behavioural reactions to the disbudding procedure (p < 0.001), a significant increase in salivary cortisol concentrations (p = 0.013), and more frequent pain-related behaviour (p = 0.036). This study indicated associations between maternal stocking density during late pregnancy and some welfare-relevant offspring outcomes during the pre-weaning period; these effects were found to be modulated by offspring health status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Fujiwara
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Marie J. Haskell
- Animal Behaviour & Welfare Team, Animal and Veterinary Science Research Group, SRUC, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK; (M.J.H.); (K.M.D.R.)
| | - Alastair I. Macrae
- Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK;
| | - Kenneth M. D. Rutherford
- Animal Behaviour & Welfare Team, Animal and Veterinary Science Research Group, SRUC, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK; (M.J.H.); (K.M.D.R.)
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11
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Edwards EM, Krawczel PD, Dann HM, Schneider LG, Whitlock B, Proudfoot KL. Calving location preference and changes in lying and exploratory behavior of preparturient dairy cattle with access to pasture. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:5455-5465. [PMID: 32278561 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the calving location of dairy cattle given access to a pasture and barn; (2) identify factors associated with calving location; and (3) compare the lying and exploratory behavior of cows in the 24 h before calving and a previous day. Seventy-two Holstein dairy heifers and cows (n = 36 nulliparous and n = 36 primiparous and multiparous combined) were housed in a covered bedded-pack barn (167.4 m2) with free access to 2.1 ha of pasture. The composition of the group was dynamic, because cows were moved in weekly at 19 ± 6 d [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] before their calving date, and were removed immediately after calving. To facilitate data collection, we divided the environment into 9 sections, including the barn (section 1; 167.4 m2), 7 sections of open pasture (sections 2 to 8; 2,402 ± 60 m2), and 1 section of pasture surrounded by natural forage cover (section 9; 3,593 m2). We then collapsed these 9 sections into 3 distinct areas for further analysis: the barn, open pasture, and natural forage cover. Animals were fitted with accelerometers to measure lying time, lying bout duration, lying bouts, and steps for the 24 h before calving (calving day) and a similar 24 h period 4 to 11 d (median = 7) before calving (baseline day). We included parity (nulliparous vs. primiparous and multiparous) and heat stress [no heat stress = temperature-humidity index (THI) ≤68 vs. heat stress = THI >68 and ≤79] in all analyses; we included time of day and group composition as additional factors that may have affected calving location. We determined exploratory behavior using 10 min instantaneous scan sampling collected from video. At each scan, we recorded the section (1 to 9) the cow or heifer was located in, and then calculated the minimum number of sections that could be crossed between successive scans. Of the total sample, 39% calved in the barn, 26% calved in the open pasture, and 35% calved in the area with natural forage cover. Nulliparous heifers and those calving when heat stress was low (THI ≤68) selected the area with natural forage cover more frequently than the barn. On the calving day, cows spent more time lying down with more short bouts of lying, and crossed more sections compared with the baseline day. Steps were affected by an interactive effect of day, parity, and heat stress; nulliparous heifers took more steps on the calving day during conditions of heat stress compared with no heat stress. Results indicate that cows and heifers had different preferences for their environment at calving, and when provided access to pasture, both changed their lying and exploratory behavior on the day of calving compared with a previous day.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Edwards
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996
| | - P D Krawczel
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996
| | - H M Dann
- William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy, NY 12921
| | - L G Schneider
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996
| | - B Whitlock
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996; Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996
| | - K L Proudfoot
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
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12
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Black RA, Krawczel PD. Effect of prepartum exercise on lying behavior, labor length, and cortisol concentrations. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:11250-11259. [PMID: 31606216 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-16029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the effect of exercise and pasture turnout on lying behavior, labor length, and cortisol concentrations around the time of parturition in dairy cows. Twenty-nine primiparous and 31 multiparous, pregnant, nonlactating Holstein (n = 58) and Jersey × Holstein cross (n = 2) dairy cows were assigned to control (n = 20), exercise (n = 20), or pasture (n = 20) treatments at dry-off using rolling enrollment. Control cows remained in the dry cow group pen. Exercise cows were removed from the dry cow group pen 5 times per week and walked for 1.4 ± 0.1 h at 1.88 ± 0.58 km/h. Pasture cows were moved to an outdoor paddock 5 times per week for 1.8 ± 0.3 h/d. Cows were housed in deep-bedded sand freestalls in a naturally ventilated, 4-row freestall barn. Cows were moved into maternity pens on the day of projected calving or when cows displayed signs that calving was imminent (restlessness, raised or lifted tail, ruptured amniotic sac, or swollen vulva), and treatments were discontinued. Cameras continuously recorded cows from entry into the pen until farm staff noted a calf, and one observer continuously watched video for two visually observable periods throughout the calving process: time from initial observation of amniotic sac to initial observation of calf's feet, and time from initial observation of calf's feet to full expulsion of calf. Assisted calvings were excluded. Accelerometers were attached to the rear fetlocks of cows 3 d before dry-off and removed 14 d postpartum. Activity was summarized by day for the 7 d before and after delivery time recorded from video observation into lying time (hours per day), lying bout frequency (bouts per day), lying bout duration (minutes per bout), and steps (number per day). Plasma total cortisol concentration was measured on d 0 and 3 postpartum and determined by a radioimmunoassay procedure using a commercially available kit. Data were analyzed using mixed linear model. During calving, time from appearance of the amniotic sac to appearance of the calf's feet was longer for pasture cows compared with control. Control cows engaged in fewer lying bouts and less overall lying time compared with pasture and exercise cows. Cortisol concentrations were higher on the day of calving compared with 3 d later, regardless of treatment. Understanding the effects of lying alterations around calving and increases in labor period length may allow for physical activity recommendations for late-gestation dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Black
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996; University of California Cooperative Extension, Santa Rosa 95407
| | - P D Krawczel
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996.
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13
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Herskin MS, Nielsen BH. Welfare Effects of the Use of a Combination of Local Anesthesia and NSAID for Disbudding Analgesia in Dairy Calves-Reviewed Across Different Welfare Concerns. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:117. [PMID: 29922684 PMCID: PMC5996095 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Across the international dairy industry, the vast majority of dairy herds have dehorned cows. Farmers choose to dehorn calves for different reasons such as easier handling of non-horned cattle and reduced risk of injuries in animals and staff. This review focuses on disbudding by use of hot-iron cautery as is practiced by dairy farmers in calves <3 months of age. We examine welfare effects of the use of NSAIDs in combination with a local anesthetic including indicators relevant for the three major welfare concerns-affective states, basic health, and functioning as well as the possibility to behave naturally. Across indicators of animal welfare, the majority of available evidence suggest that the use of NSAIDs in combination with a local anesthetic is advantageous in terms of animal welfare, and no studies suggest that NSAIDs are a disadvantage to animal welfare. However, irrespective of the welfare concern, use of NSAIDs combined with a local anesthetic does not fully eliminate the welfare challenges from disbudding. Further research is needed in order to fully understand the effects of this medication protocol on calf welfare, including knowledge about the duration of healing and the presence of long-term pain. At present, this lack of knowledge challenges the precise formulation of adequate pain management-in terms of medication protocol, duration, dosage, and type of administration.
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