Effects of different housing systems on the behaviour of beef bulls—An on-farm assessment on Austrian farms

Abstract

Previous studies noted significant health and behavioural problems in cattle accommodated on fully slatted floors. As the majority of beef bulls in Austria are still housed on fully slatted floors the development of alternative housing systems becomes vitally important. On the basis of behavioural analyses, we wanted to test the suitability of alternative housing systems under on-farm conditions. Data was collected on seven Austrian farms between January 2006 and April 2007. The resting, social and sexual behaviour of 219 Simmental bulls accommodated in four different housing systems was observed for 48 h at an average live weight of 450 kg and 600 kg using continuous and scan sampling method. The studied housing systems were (a) fully concrete slatted floor pens (CS), (b) fully slatted floor pens covered with rubber mats (RS), (c) straw bedded pens (ST) and (d) a system combining straw bedded pens (for bulls weighing less than 450 kg) and fully slatted floor pens (for bulls weighing more than 450 kg), (SS). The number of lying (P > 0.001) and short standing bouts (P < 0.001) was significantly higher in ST and RS than in CS and the mean duration of lying bouts significantly lower (P < 0.001). Bulls in ST showed less atypical lying down movements and difficulties to stand up than bulls in the other systems (P < 0.001). The number of lying down intentions was significantly lower in ST and RS than in CS (P < 0.001). Moreover, we found a significantly lower mean duration of lying down (P = 0.005) and standing up (P < 0.001) in ST than in CS and SS. It is concluded that rubber mats for slatted floors have a positive effect on the bulls’ behaviour but do not reach the welfare potential of straw bedding.