Abstract
Objective:The objective of the study was to assess the behavioral attributes of primiparous and multiparous Friesland, Jersey, and Crossbred cows around calving time in a pasture-based dairy system.Material and methods:A total of 120 pregnant cows were used in the study, comprising of 40 cows per genotype in different parities [A-primiparous (n = 10), B-2 to 4 (n = 10), C-5 and 6 (n = 10), and D-7 and 8 (n = 10)] and kept in a maternity paddock. Five observers monitored cows from the onset of parturition until the calves were fully expelled, recording the frequency and duration of lying, standing, and walking bouts, calf licking, and suckling.Results:There were differences (p < 0.05) observed in the behavioral patterns around the time of calving. Jersey multiparous cows spent (p < 0.05) significantly most of their time (20.50 ± 3.10) in lying position as compared to the other genotypes. The Jersey cows also spent most (p < 0.05) of their time (48.00 ± 0.34) in a standing position during the calving period. Friesland cows spent (p < 0.05) most of their time (12.00 ± 1.19) exhibiting either stepping or walking attributes as compared to Jersey and Crossbred cows. The Jersey genotype spent significantly (p < 0.05) more time (123.00 ± 10.43) in expelling their calves compared to the other genotypes. There was a significant (p < 0.05) interaction between genotypes and parity on time spent by cows on licking their calves. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) observed between the genotypes of the primiparous cow.Conclusion:The primiparous cows spent most of their time in standing and the least amount of time in other activities throughout the trial due to the lack of maternal experience. The current study revealed that behavioral activities differ according to genotype and parity.
Highlights
Calving in dairy cows is an important event and a requirement for the milk industry and herd renewal to maintain the profitability of a dairy production system [1,2]
Jersey multiparous cows spent significantly (123.00 ± 10.43) the most time on expelling their calves compared to Friesland (100.00 ± 8.52) and Crossbred cows (55.00 ± 4.66 min)
Crossbred primiparous cows spent most of their time on lying down compared to other primiparous genotypes, and this could suggest that Crossbred cows were more comfortable to be in the company of multiparous cows
Summary
Calving in dairy cows is an important event and a requirement for the milk industry and herd renewal to maintain the profitability of a dairy production system [1,2]. The parturition period is associated with hormonal, physiological, and behavioral changes These include changes in the levels of progesterone, luteinizing hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and plasma concentrations of stress hormones (cortisol, opioids, and catecholamine); increased heart rate, body temperature, and cervix dilation; and physical changes such swollen vulva and body conformation and unusual behavior such as ground licking, reduced appetite, and tail raising [9,10,11,12]. These changes occur before the first stage of parturition, which is the period when the calf is moving into its appropriate position intended for parturition [10,12]
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