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Marumo JL, Lusseau D, Speakman JR, Mackie M, Byar AY, Cartwright W, Hambly C. Behavioural variability, physical activity, rumination time, and milk characteristics of dairy cattle in response to regrouping. Animal 2024; 18:101094. [PMID: 38401328 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101094] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In the commercial dairy industry worldwide, it is common practice to periodically regroup cows as part of their management strategy within housed systems. While this animal husbandry practice is intended to improve management efficiency, cows may experience social stress as a result of the social environment changes, which may have an impact on their behavioural patterns, performance, and welfare. We investigated whether regrouping altered dairy cows' behaviour and impacted their cortisol concentration (a physiological marker of stress), oxytocin, milk yield, and quality in a robotic milking system. Fifty-two lactating cows (17 primiparous; 35 multiparous) were moved in groups of 3-5 individuals into established pens of approximately 100 cows. Behaviour of the regrouped cows was directly observed continuously for 4 h/day across 4-time blocks (day-prior (d-1), day-of regrouping (d0), day-after (d + 1), and 6-days after (d + 6) regrouping). Cows were categorised as being with others, alone, or feeding every 2.5 min prior to the assessment of behavioural dynamics. Milk yield (MY) and composition, total daily activity, and rumination time (RUM) data were extracted from the Lely T4C management program (Lely Industries, Maassluis, the Netherlands), and milk samples were collected for cortisol and oxytocin concentration analyses; data were analysed using linear mixed-effect modelling. Primiparous cows were less likely to be interacting with others on d + 1 than d-1 compared with multiparous. However, average bout duration (minutes) between being alone and feeding activity states were similar on d-1, d + 1, and d + 6, for both primiparous and multiparous cows. A reduction in the average alone and feeding bout duration was observed on d0. Multiparous cows spent significantly more total time being alone on d0 compared to d-1. Neither regrouping nor parity statistically influenced milk DM content, energy, or cortisol concentration. Primiparous cows produced 3.80 ± 2.42 kg (12.2%) less MY on d + 1 compared to their d-1, whereas multiparous cows did not change MY. A significant decrease of 0.2% fat was found in both parity groups following regrouping and remained low up to d + 6. Daily activity in both parity groups increased significantly and RUM reduced after regrouping. A significant decrease in oxytocin concentration was observed in all cows on d + 1. The results, specifically for primiparous cows, indicated a negative impact of regrouping on social interactions, due to changes in the social environment which may lead to short-term social instability. Multiparous cows may benefit from previous regrouping experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Marumo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK
| | - D Lusseau
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK; Technical University of Denmark, Anker Engelunds Vej 1, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - J R Speakman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK; Centre for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China; CAS Centre of Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Kunming, China
| | - M Mackie
- Mackies Dairy Farm, Westertown, Inverurie AB51 8US, Scotland, UK
| | - A Y Byar
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK
| | - W Cartwright
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK
| | - C Hambly
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK.
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Slayi M. Avoidance-related behavioral and blood-based physiological responses of Nguni and Boran cattle subjected to routine handling activities post relocation. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1188505. [PMID: 37483289 PMCID: PMC10359482 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1188505] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study aimed to investigate the avoidance-related behavioral and blood-based physiological responses of Nguni and Boran cattle during routine handling activities post-relocation, with a particular focus on the effect of breed, week, and waiting time. Methods A total of 20 animals, 10 from each breed, were subjected to handling activities at fortnight intervals post-relocation. The animals were observed for entry time (ES), chute score (CS), kicking score (KS), blood sampling time, cortisol, and glucose concentrations. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and regression analysis. Results and Discussion Results showed that breed had a significant effect on avoidance-related behavioral responses (ES: p = 0.0032; CS: p = 0.0071; and EX: p = 0.0320), with Nguni cattle displaying more active avoidance behaviors compared to Boran cattle. Additionally, breed differences were observed in physiological responses, with Nguni cattle exhibiting higher cortisol and glucose levels compared to Boran cattle. Waiting time in the race had a greater impact on chute score (CS: p = 0.0037) and cortisol release (p = 0.0375) in the two breeds. Regression analysis revealed that the amount of time spent in the handling facility prior to sampling and the duration of blood collection significantly increased from week 3 to 15. Steers that waited in the race for more than 10 min had higher cortisol levels (p = 0.0031). These findings suggest that breed-specific management practices may be necessary to reduce stress-related responses and improve animal welfare during routine handling activities post-relocation. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering the effects of breed, week, and waiting time when evaluating the avoidance-related behavioral and blood-based physiological responses of cattle during routine handling activities. These factors play a significant role in understanding and addressing the stress and welfare concerns associated with handling procedures, particularly after relocation.
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Exploring the Evacuation of Dairy Cattle at Night in Collaboration with the Fire Brigade: How to Prepare Openings for Swift Rescue in Case of Barn Fire. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111344. [PMID: 35681808 PMCID: PMC9179847 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111344] [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: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The evacuation of farm animals out of a barn is a rarely considered subject. Especially in case of fire, there is a need for functional emergency exits as well as concepts of rescue for swift evacuation, since both the harmful smoke and the danger of collapsing roofs call for urgency. Field reports of firefighters and affected farmers state that barn animals hesitate to leave their familiar surroundings and rather try to withdraw to their known housing, which they deem as safe. Thus, it is not sufficient to simply open the doors and gates hoping for self-rescue of the animals. As there is a lack of guidelines on the design of emergency exits, we conducted an evacuation exercise of year-round housed dairy cattle, in cooperation with the fire brigade by night, to inspect the animals’ behaviour. We found that preparing the exits according to the sensory perception of cattle, providing familiar surfaces and adequate lighting, and herding cattle correctly result in a speedy rescue, even if the animals were not habituated to leaving the barn before. We hope to set an example for farmers and fire brigades that are in need of instructions, and that more research considering this vital topic will follow. Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the influencing factors of successfully rescuing year-round housed cattle in case of a barn fire. Empirical research indicates the reluctance of cattle to leave their familiar barn. Subsequent retreat back to the perceived safety inside, which stands in contrast to the unknown and thus adversary elements outside, for example, the fire brigade, is to be expected. We examined the evacuation of 69 dairy cattle, split into three groups, to an adjacent pasture by night and inspected the animals’ acceptance of two differently designed escape routes and the effect of preceding training. Along with the time needed for evacuating all animals, we measured faecal cortisol metabolites and daily milk yield to assess stress in the animals. Our preliminary assumption was that cattle trained for pasture would have a decisive advantage over untrained cattle. However, adapting the exits to the sensory physiology of the cattle resulted in an extensive impact on the animals’ readiness to leave the familiar housing, as the evacuation of the cattle non-habituated to the exit was comparatively quick and successful. We consider this study instructional for fire brigades and farmers, encouraging them to develop a customised concept for rescuing their cattle in case of an emergency.
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Hailemariam SE, Tezera BT, Engidashet DH. Husbandry practices and constraints of smallholder dairy production in Dilla Zuriya district, Gedeo Zone, Ethiopia. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09151. [PMID: 35368531 PMCID: PMC8965902 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The study assessed dairy cattle management practices and identified constraints at smallholder dairy farms in Dilla-Zuriya District. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken on 120 purposely selected smallholder dairy farmers from three potential kebeles (Chichu, Andida and Gola). A Structured questionnaire was developed and applied to collect data. Descriptive statistics procedures of SPSS were followed to analyse the collected data. The result showed that most farmers (70.9%) produce milk primarily for income generation under a mixed crop-livestock production system. The herds mean of the local and cross breeds cattle in the study area were 5.23 and 2.41, respectively. Banana and Enset leaves and stems were the primary feed resources of the study area. Besides, farmers use natural grazing pasture and home fruit and vegetable leftovers as animal feed. The watering frequency was twice a day, either from river or pipe. Traditional houses made from locally available construction materials like mud and wood are the typical dairy cattle housing system. Except for calves, all types of dairy cattle were kept together in the same house. Feed shortage, limited access to, and the high purchasing cost of improved dairy heifers were the top two pressing constraints of dairy production in the study area. Therefore, enhancing the quality and accessibility of feed and applying breed improvement technologies are highly recommended to support dairy production.
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Wilson A, Wright T, Cant J, Osborne V. Development of a novel stall design for dairy cattle: Part I. The effect of an increased slope on lying behavior, rumination, cleanliness, and preference. Animal 2022; 16:100427. [DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Wilson A, Wright T, Cant J, Osborne V. Development of a novel stall design for dairy cattle: Part II. The effect of minimal stall partitioning on lying behavior, rumination, stall cleanliness, and preference. Animal 2022; 16:100428. [DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Pereira FC, Teixeira DL, Boyle LA, Pinheiro Machado Filho LC, Williams SRO, Enriquez-Hidalgo D. The Equipment Used in the SF 6 Technique to Estimate Methane Emissions Has No Major Effect on Dairy Cow Behavior. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:620810. [PMID: 33585608 PMCID: PMC7880162 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.620810] [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] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural behavior of animals can be disrupted by the techniques and materials of research methodologies. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the equipment used in the SF6 tracer technique to estimate enteric methane emissions on the behavior of lactating dairy cows. The cows (n = 24) were allocated to one of two diets: CONTROL and experimental diet (MIX). Behavior was assessed through video recordings between milking times during four phases: 3 days before fitting the cows with the SF6 equipment (PRE), first 2 days after the cows were fitted with the SF6 equipment (ADAP), 3 days during methane emission measurements (MEAS), and 2 days after the SF6 equipment removal (POST). The behaviors recorded included eating, ruminating or idling, resting, and others. Affiliative or agonistic and discomfort behaviors (scratching or pushing the equipment) were also recorded. Lying time was recorded over 14 days using dataloggers fitted to the cows' leg. Milk production and feed intake were recorded daily. MIX cows ruminated more than CONTROL cows (P = 0.05). The cows ruminated more at MEAS than in any other phase (P < 0.01). Time spent idling gradually decreased from PRE to MEAS for MIX cows (P < 0.01). The cows were lying down longer in MEAS than in ADAP and POST (P < 0.01). The time spent lying with the head down was shorter during PRE and ADAP than during POST (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the occurrence of discomfort or agonistic behaviors (P > 0.05). Affiliative behaviors occurred more often in ADAP than in MEAS (P < 0.05). There was no difference between phases in daily lying time, number of lying bouts per day, or mean bout duration (P > 0.05). Milk production was not influenced by the SF6 equipment (P > 0.05). Dry matter intake was higher for CONTROL cows (P < 0.01), and it decreased from PRE to MEAS (P < 0.01). However, milk yield did not differ between cows wearing the SF6 equipment and those without it (P > 0.05). We conclude that the SF6 equipment had a minimal effect on dairy cow behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiellen Cristina Pereira
- Laboratorio de Etología Aplicada, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.,Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile
| | - Dayane Lemos Teixeira
- Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile.,Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile.,Animal Welfare Program, IRTA, Veïnat de Síes, Girona, Spain
| | - Laura Ann Boyle
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
| | | | | | - Daniel Enriquez-Hidalgo
- Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile.,Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford Campus, Langford, United Kingdom.,Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, United Kingdom
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Nuss K, Nogler S, Lüchinger I, Hässig M, Pieper L, Knubben-Schweizer G. [Changes in claw and leg health and hair cortisol concentration in dairy cows during the transition from tie-stall to free-stall housing - A study of a medium-sized farm]. Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere 2020; 48:301-309. [PMID: 33080653 DOI: 10.1055/a-1245-5212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Claw health and carpal and tarsal lesions were assessed in a dairy herd during the transition from a tie-stall to a free-stall barn. The stress associated with the change in housing was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS The initial size of the herd was 57 dairy cows, which were evaluated 4 times, 4-5 months apart, in a hoof-trimming chute. Claw horn and skin lesions of the foot were considered separately. The carpi and hocks were assessed for hair loss and skin lesions, and the hocks were also evaluated for swelling. Tail hair samples were collected from all cows during the second visit, and the cortisol concentration of 3 different sections of the hair was measured. RESULTS The high prevalence of digital dermatitis and other skin lesions in the hind legs seen in the tie-stall barn (49 %) did not change significantly during the 14-month study period and was 46 % at the last visit. Heel horn erosions of the hind feet were rare in the tie-stall barn (14 %), but had a prevalence of 100 % at the end of the study. There was a trend for a decrease in the prevalence of other claw horn lesions. The prevalence and severity of carpal and hock lesions decreased significantly in the free-stall barn. Compared to values in cows at the tie-stall barn, the hair cortisol concentration was significantly higher during the transition period and at the free-stall barn. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The target variables were subjected to a multitude of factors but it can be assumed that the more comfortable lying surface in the free-stall barn had the most significant effect on carpal and tarsal joint health. The fluctuating prevalence of claw horn lesions indicates that claws health should be monitored closely. The increase in hair cortisol concentration after the transition to the free-stall barn could imply increased stress, but washout of cortisol in more distal hair segments could not be ruled out. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The results of the present report cannot be directly applied to other herds; however, the significance of cow comfort is highlighted by the presence of fewer carpal and hock lesions. The significant increase in the prevalence of heel horn erosions indicates that the horn capsule is compromised under free-stall conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Nuss
- Abteilung für Nutztierchirurgie, Departement für Nutztiere, Vetsuisse-Fakultät der Universität Zürich
| | - Simon Nogler
- Abteilung für Nutztierchirurgie, Departement für Nutztiere, Vetsuisse-Fakultät der Universität Zürich
| | - Isabelle Lüchinger
- Abteilung für Nutztierchirurgie, Departement für Nutztiere, Vetsuisse-Fakultät der Universität Zürich
| | - Michael Hässig
- Zentrum für Nutztierdiagnostik, Vetsuisse-Fakultät der Universität Zürich
| | - Laura Pieper
- Abteilung für Nutztierchirurgie, Departement für Nutztiere, Vetsuisse-Fakultät der Universität Zürich
| | - Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer
- Klinik für Wiederkäuer mit Ambulanz und Bestandsbetreuung, Zentrum für Klinische Tiermedizin, Tierärztliche Fakultät, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
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Abstract
In functional laterality research, most ungulate livestock species have until recently been mainly overlooked. However, there are many scientific and practical benefits of studying laterality in ungulate livestock. As social, precocial and domestic species, they may offer insight into the mechanisms involved in the ontogeny and phylogeny of functional laterality and help to better understand the role of laterality in animal welfare. Until now, most studies on ungulate livestock have focused on motor laterality, but interest in other lateralized functions, e.g., cognition and emotions, is growing. Increasingly more studies are also focused on associations with age, sex, personality, health, stress, production and performance. Although the full potential of research on laterality in ungulate livestock is not yet exploited, findings have already shed new light on central issues in cognitive and emotional processing and laid the basis for potentially useful applications in future practice, e.g., stress reduction during human-animal interactions and improved assessments of health, production and welfare. Future research would benefit from further integration of basic laterality methodology (e.g., testing for individual preferences) and applied ethological approaches (e.g., established emotionality tests), which would not only improve our understanding of functional laterality but also benefit the assessment of animal welfare.
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Vargas-Bello-Pérez E, Cancino-Padilla N, Geldsetzer-Mendoza C, Vyhmeister S, Morales MS, Leskinen H, Romero J, Garnsworthy PC, Ibáñez RA. Effect of Feeding Cows with Unsaturated Fatty Acid Sources on Milk Production, Milk Composition, Milk Fatty Acid Profile, and Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Ice Cream. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9080568. [PMID: 31426475 PMCID: PMC6720294 DOI: 10.3390/ani9080568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of dairy cows’ diets with different fatty acid (FA) sources on milk production, milk composition, milk fatty acid profile, and physicochemical and sensory characteristics of ice cream. Supplementation (3% dry matter (DM)) of diets with soybean oil (SO) and fish oil (FO) did not have detrimental effects on milk production, milk composition, or ice cream physicochemical and sensory characteristics. From a human standpoint, SO and FO improved the FA profile of milk. Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of dairy cows with different fatty acid sources (soybean oil (SO) and fish oil (FO)) on milk production, milk composition, milk fatty acid profile, and physicochemical and sensory characteristics of ice cream. During 63 days, fifteen Holstein cows averaging 198 ± 35 days in milk were assigned to three groups: control diet with no added lipid (n = 5 cows); and supplemented diets with SO (n = 5 cows; unrefined SO; 30 g/kg DM) or FO (n = 5 cows; FO from unrefined salmon oil; 30 g/kg DM). Milk production, milk fat, and milk protein were not affected by treatments. Saturated fatty acids in milk fat were decreased with SO and FO compared with control. C18:2 cis-9, cis-12 was increased with SO whereas C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, C20:3n-3, C20:3n-6, C20:5n-3, and C22:6n-3 were the highest with FO. Draw temperature and firmness were higher in SO compared to control and FO ice creams. Melting resistance was higher in FO compared with control and SO ice creams. Supplementation of cow diets with SO and FO did not have detrimental effects on milk production, or ice cream physicochemical and sensory characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez
- Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla-306 Santiago, Chile.
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Nathaly Cancino-Padilla
- Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla-306 Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Geldsetzer-Mendoza
- Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla-306 Santiago, Chile
| | - Stefanie Vyhmeister
- Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla-306 Santiago, Chile
| | - María Sol Morales
- Departamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Chile
| | - Heidi Leskinen
- Milk Production, Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Jaime Romero
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, El Líbano 5524, Santiago, Chile
| | - Philip C Garnsworthy
- School of Biosciences, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Rodrigo A Ibáñez
- Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla-306 Santiago, Chile
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