Lying Behaviour in Dairy Goats: Effects of a New Automated Feeding System Assessed by Accelerometer Technology.

Ines Maurmann,Stanislaus Von Korn,Bianca A E Greiner,Maren Bernau

doi:10.3390/ani11082370

Ines Maurmann, Stanislaus Von Korn + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082370

Copy DOI

Abstract

Simple SummaryGoat farming is becoming more important in Germany and as dehorning is forbidden, it is necessary to facilitate animal welfare among horned and mixed-horned herds. In this study an optimized automatic concentrated feeding system was installed in a mixed-horned herd and lying behaviour was detected by accelerometer technology. Results show a seasonal progression of lying behaviour in dairy goats and an adjustment of behavioural differences between horned and hornless goats with the new feeding system.The aim of this study was to evaluate lying behaviour in dairy goats before and after installation of an optimized automatic concentrated feeding system (AFS). A mixed-horned herd of Bunte Deutsche Edelziege was used. As many agonistic interactions between goats happen at the feeding place, a new automated feeding system was installed to better fulfil the needs of horned goats. Lying behaviour is an indicator to ascertain animal welfare of ruminants. In order to measure lying behaviour accelerometer technology was used and verified by video analyses. The results show an agreement of 99.62–99.93% per lying time by comparing accelerometers to video data. Over all goats, a mean ± SD lying time (LT) of 11.78 ± 1.47 h/d, a mean ± SD lying bout duration (LBD) of 0.51 ± 0.10 h/bout and a mean ± SD frequency of lying bouts (FLB) of 24.35 ± 5.57 were found. Lying behaviour follows a seasonal progression with significant lowest LBD and highest FLB in summer. With the old AFS significant differences in LBD and FLB were detected between horned and hornless goats, but with the new AFS results were adjusted. Findings suggest that changes in feeding management do not affect the general seasonal progression of lying behaviour but can affect the behavioural differences between horned and hornless dairy goats.

Highlights

In Germany, in federal state Baden-Württemberg, dairy goat farming is becoming increasingly important as herd sizes are rising [1,2]
Data were evaluated with a 10 s interval, accelerometers were set to a 5 s interval for recording
To detect lying behaviour in goats, accelerometer technology is a practicable method with precise results, but more analyses need to be conducted to ascertain the ideal measuring interval in dairy goats

Summary

Introduction

In Germany, in federal state Baden-Württemberg, dairy goat farming is becoming increasingly important as herd sizes are rising [1,2]. The breeds most strongly represented in Germany are Bunte and Weiße Deutsche Edelziege [3] These breeds are often horned, which is of major interest for housing and feeding and results in special needs, since dehorning is forbidden in Germany [4]. Due to their species-specific behaviour, agonistic interactions and horn-induced injuries are often found, especially as a result of competition during feed intake. Limited resources such as those for feeding can be a reason for aggressive behaviour in goats [5]. Injuries affect animal well-being, animal health, and result in economic losses [10]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion