Bunk Space Research Articles

Feed Stalls Affect the Social and Feeding Behavior of Lactating Dairy Cows

The first objective of this study was to study the effects of increased bunk space on the frequency of aggressive behavior at the feed bunk and on feed access. The second objective was to determine whether the addition of partitions (feed stalls) between adjacent cows would provide additional protection while feeding, particularly for subordinate cows. Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows were subjected to each of 3 treatments in 3 successive 10-d treatment periods using a 3×3 Latin square design. The treatments tested were: 1) 0.64m of feed bunk space/cow, 2) 0.92m of feed bunk space/cow, and 3) feed stalls (0.87m of feed bunk space/cow with feed stall partitions separating adjacent cows). Time-lapse video was used to quantify the feeding and standing behavior, as well as the aggressive behavior (displacements) displayed by the cows at the feed bunk. To meet our first and second objectives, we compared data from the 0.64 m/cow treatment with that from the 0.92 m/cow treatment, and data from the 0.92 m/cow treatment with that from the feed-stall treatment, respectively. Total daily feeding time increased when feed bunk space was increased from 0.64 to 0.92 m/cow. Further, the time spent standing in the feeding area while not feeding and the frequency of aggressive interactions at the feed bunk decreased when more bunk space was provided. The addition of feed stalls resulted in more pronounced effects compared with when cows had 0.92 m/cow of bunk space. The feed stalls also forced cows to change the strategy by which they displaced others from the feed bunk, forcing them to also initiate contact at the rear of the animal they were displacing rather than only from the front and side, as in the other 2 treatments. Further, when the cows were provided with additional feeding space, particularly when combined with feed stalls, those cows with lower social status at the feed bunk experienced the greatest decreases in the number of times they were displaced per day. The results indicated that providing increased feed bunk space, particularly when combined with feed stalls, will improve access to the feed and reduce competition at the feed bunk, particularly for subordinate cows.

Environmental Influences on Claw Horn Lesions Associated with Laminitis and Subacute Ruminal Acidosis in Dairy Cows

Abstract The environment may influence the onset of laminitis and associated claw horn lesions of dairy cows by exacerbating changes in the hoof triggered by events at parturition, onset of subacute ruminal acidosis, or claw horn growth and wear and ground reaction forces on different walking surfaces. Environmental risk factors for laminitis and associated claw horn lesions include feed bunk space and design, pen layout, overstocking, heat stress, stall use behavior, and exposure to concrete and other types of walking surfaces. New evidence suggests that cow environment may be the final determinant of the degree of laminitis and lameness observed on dairy farms.

Feeding Behavior, Milking Behavior, and Milk Yields of Cows Milked in a Parlor Versus an Automatic Milking System

This study compared feeding and milking behavior and milk yields for cows housed in the same barn, fed the same ration, but milked with a conventional milking parlor (parlor) or automatic milking system (robot). Behavioral data were videotaped hourly 1 d/mo for 9 mo. Feeding behavior patterns differed and were more variable for parlor cows than for robot cows. Both groups had low feeding rates at night and early morning. Feeding activity increased after milking and feed delivery for parlor cows. Milking and feeding activity in the robot system increased after human intervention at 7 a.m.; feed bunk activity peaked 3h later and remained relatively constant from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Percentages of cows at the feed bunk were significantly greater for robot cows than parlor cows only at 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Batch milking of parlor cows with free access to feed, vs. sequential milking of robot cows, with restricted movement to feed by a one-way gate system, resulted in higher peak percentages of cows at the bunk for parlor cows. Lower, more consistent percentages of cows eating at one time suggests that less bunk space may be needed for cows in robotic milking systems. Higher percentages of cows were observed in the robot from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 3 to 7 p.m. Percentages of cows in the robot holding area were greatest from 8 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. and were lowest from midnight to 6 a.m. Milk production over 39 d in summer for subsets of cows was slightly but significantly higher (26.4 vs. 25.8±0.2kg/d) for cows in the robot group. Milking frequency, days in milk, parity, and maximum air temperature for 3 d (-2 d to day of observation) affected milk yield comparisons. Results have implications for design of feeding and handling facilities used with automated milking systems.

Thiamin Status and Growth Performance of Cattle New to the Feedlot Environment as Affected by Amprolium and Supplemental Dietary Thiamin

Mixed breed steers (n = 96; 211 ± 1.48 kg) were used for a 35-d trial to determine the effects of amprolium and supplemental thiamin on thiamin status and growth performance of stressed cattle. Amprolium at 0 or 5 mg/kg initial BW and thiamin at 0 or 140 mg/kg DM were fed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Amprolium was top-dressed on the daily feed for the first 21 d of the study; each steer had 50-cm bunk space available. Steers were kept in 3.7m × 30.5m drylots (n = 16; 6 steers per pen and 4 pens per treatment) and were fed a corn, soybean meal, cottonseed hull-based total mixed ration. A pen was used as the experimental unit. Steers fed amprolium had increased ADG from d 0 to 7 (P<0.01). Supplemental thiamin tended to increase ADG from d 0 to 21 (P<0.10). Blood thiamin monophosphate (TMP) concentrations were affected by a sampling day × supplemental thiamin interaction (P<0.001). Blood TMP concentrations were increased by supplemental thiamin on d 7, 14, 21, and 28 (P<0.001) and tended to be increased on d 35 (P=0.08). A sampling day × amprolium interaction was detected for TMP (P<0.05) and blood thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP; P<0.05) concentrations. Blood TMP and TPP concentrations were decreased on d 14, 21, and 28 (P<0.05) in the steers fed amprolium, but amprolium did not affect (P>0.10) TMP and TPP concentrations on d 7 and 35. Thiamin supplementation had no effect on the number of coccidial oocysts in feces, but steers fed amprolium had reduced numbers of coccidial oocysts (P<0.05). Supplemental thiamin and amprolium did not improve overall ADG, ADFI, or gain to feed for the 35-d trial.

Effect of Animal Grouping on Feeding Behavior and Intake of Dairy Cattle

Although data are scarce, it is clear that grouping strategy can have a significant impact on the feeding behavior and feed intake of dairy cattle. Feed intake is controlled by ruminoreticular fill and physiological mechanisms, but grouping is a component of the cow's feeding environment that can modulate intake as a result of its impact on cow comfort, competition for feed and other resources, and herd health. Social dominance and competition for feed impact feeding behavior and proper grouping strategy will minimize the negative impact of excessive competition on intake and enhance beneficial effects of group feeding such as social facilitation. Primiparous cows benefit from separate grouping from older animals by increased intake and productivity. Bunk space, accessibility of feed, and type of feeding system must be considered when determining the optimal group size. There appears to be no problem with large (>200 cows) groups of cows per se, but management decisions such as overcrowding with insufficient head gates or manger space play a role in determining cow well-being and feeding behavior. Research with group sizes larger than 400 cows needs to evaluate productivity, feeding and other behavior, and animal well-being. Significant overcrowding appears to reduce feeding activity, alter resting behavior, and decrease rumination activity. Negative social consequences of moving cows between groups last 3 to 7 d. Although the effect of grouping on feeding behavior remains largely unquantitated at this point, the effect is potentially large and requires further research to describe the impact of cow dynamics within a group on feed intake.

Feedbunk Management and Finishing Steer Performance

One hundred ninety-two mixed-breed steers were used in a randomized block design with four treatments which included the following feeding practices: a) control- feeding at 0800 and 1500 with 24.3cm linear bunk space per head; b) feeding at 0800 and 1500 with 24.3cm per head and every fourth day linear bunk space was reduced to 13.3cm per head by inserting a 20B.2-L drum in the feedbunks; c) feeding time of 0800 and 1500 linear bunk space 24.3cm and every fourth day the 0800 feeding was skipped, the afternoon feeding on day 3 was fed at 1.5 times the day 3 morning feeding, and the day 4 afternoon feeding was normal; and d) feeding time of 1500 and linear bunk space per head of 24.3cm. Feed efficiency was poorer (P<.02) during period 2 for the control steers than the change linear bunk space or skip one feeding treatments. Otherwise, there were no statistical differences in cattle performance, feed cost of gain, or carcass measurements. This study suggests: a) that feeding once a day in the afternoon may be as good a management practice as twice a day feeding, and b) a "planned" irregularity in the feeding schedule may not hurt performance compared to twice a day feeding.

Feeding Methods and Grouping Systems

Studies of taste behavior indicate that precise nutrient allocation is never achieved by lactating dairy cows offered concentrates according to individual energy requirements and forages free-choice in conventional housing systems. Concentrate feeding via the milking parlor reduces precision of nutrient allocation even further. Studies of social and feeding behavior of cows in loose housing suggest that it is unnecessary to provide one free-stall per cow or bunk space for all cows to eat simultaneously if a complete ration is continuously available. The advantages of the complete ration system far outweigh the disadvantages. More attention should be given to social and taste behavior of cows as feeding and housing systems are designed.

Practical and Theoretical Considerations Concerning Treatment of Bacterial Pneumonia in Feedlot Cattle, With Special Reference to Antimicrobic Therapy

When effective antimicrobic therapy can be initiated on the first day that clinical signs are evident to an experienced observer and continued for 48 hours after fever, dyspnea and toxemia have abated, and if appropriate shelter, nutrition and nursing care are provided, mortality from acute, uncomplicated bacterial pneumonia in feedlot cattle will be negligible. Mortality is increased when disease detection is inadequate, resulting in delayed treatment, when ineffective antimicrobics are utilized, or when inappropriate dosages, routes of administration or treatment intervals are selected, and when treatment is irregularly administered or prematurely terminated. Failure to promptly reinstitute treatment when relapses occur is often a factor in excessive mortality.&#x0D; Sick cattle should be kept dry and provided with shelter from cold winds or hot sun. Sick cattle penned together should be of similar size and should not be overcrowded. At least 12 linear inches and preferably 24 linear inches of feed bunk space should be provided per animal.