Tied Dairy Cows Research Articles

Slightly and Moderately Lame Cows in Tie Stalls Behave Differently From Non-lame Controls. A Matched Case-Control Study.

Lameness affects dairy cows worldwide and is usually associated with pain. Behavioral differences in lame compared to non-lame tie-stall-housed dairy cows might be less pronounced than in free-stall-housed, since the principle demands to a cow's locomotor system and thus the impact of lameness on behavior seem to be lower in tie stalls. Behavioral differences between lame and non-lame cows might be used to estimate the impact of lameness on the well-being of tied dairy cows. In the current study, lame cows were categorized as locomotion scoring between 2.25 and 3.25 on a 1–5 scale. The aim was to compare the eating, rumination and lying behavior of lame cows against non-lame tied dairy cows, in order to draw conclusions on the association of lameness, behavior and well-being in tied dairy cows. The eating and rumination behavior of 26, the lying behavior of 30, and the relative upright and lying activities of 25 matched case-control pairs were analyzed, considering the matching criteria farm, breed-type, and parity-group. Lame cows had fewer [mean of the pairwise differences (case–control) (meandiff) = −2.6 bouts, CI95% (−3.8–−1.4) bouts, p = 0.001], but longer lying bouts [meandiff = 26.7 min per bout, CI95% (10.1–43.4) min per bout, p = 0.006]. The lying time was shorter [meandiff = −64.7 min, CI95% (−104.4–−24.9) min, p = 0.006] in lame cows compared to their non-lame controls. Lame cows had a shorter eating time [meandiff = −27.7 min, CI95% (−51.5–−4.0) min, p = 0.042] and spent a larger proportion of their upright time ruminating [meandiff = 7.2%, CI95% (3.2–11.1)%, p = 0.001] instead of eating. The results of the current study indicate that the eating, rumination, and lying behavior of lame tied dairy cows is altered. These findings indicate that slight and moderate lameness (locomotion score between 2.25 and 3.25 on a 1–5 scale) are likely to be associated with an impaired well-being in affected tied dairy cows. This underlines the need to continuously reduce the lameness prevalence and severity in tied dairy herds.

Behavior and Performance of Dairy Cows After Transfer from Tied to Cubicle Housing

ABSTRACTBehavior and performance changes when tied dairy cows were moved to a loose housing system in a cubicle system were investigated. Behavioral observations were made for 3 consecutive days in 3 periods after transition. The cows (n = 105) were observed on 18 sampling occasions for 1 month. Recordings were made of body positions and general and social behaviors. Monthly milk records were collected 1 year before and 1 year after transition. Cows walked more during the 1st observation period than during the other periods (p < .05). Walking activity also differed between days when nested to period (p < .05). During the 1st period, cows ruminated while standing more than during the 3rd period (p < .05). Cows ate and groomed less and vocalized more during the 1st period (p < .05). It was concluded that after transition from a tied to a cubicle system, several behaviors were affected during the 1st days, and milk production of multiparous cows was negatively affected, although this effect was not long-term.

Impact of elastic stall partitions on tied dairy cows’ behaviour and stall cleanliness

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soft elastic stall partitions on the positions in own or neighbouring stalls by dairy cows, faeces and urine, and of contact between animal and partition. There were two designs of a soft elastic partition, here called I-partition and λ-partition. The study was performed on a commercial dairy herd where the partitions had been developed. After clinical examination 16 lactating cows were selected and used as focal animals, and paired for video recordings. The animals were placed, according to their size, on stalls with different breadths and lengths. Each pair of focal animals was video recorded continuously for 9 days according to the following sequence: (1) with partition 3× 24 h; (2) without partition 3× 24 h; (3) with partition again 3× 24 h. Before each such session each focal pair was again clinically examined. Behaviours were analysed per hour, summarised per 24 h and analysed with a mixed linear model or Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. Without partitions more urine ( p < 0.05) and faeces ( p < 0.05) landed on the neighbouring cow's stall and the time standing 45° to the manger was longer ( p < 0.01), whereas the time standing 90° to the manger was shorter ( p < 0.01). Without partitions three out of the 16 cows were standing and three were lying parallel to the manger. Presence or absence of partitions did not influence the total lying time per 24 h. Cows with the λ-partition defecated more seldom in neighbouring stalls than cows with the I-partition ( p < 0.01). It is concluded that without partitions between tied animals more eliminations on neighbouring stalls and more deviations from the 90° position in relation to the manger occurred. This seems to be the first experimental study of how partitions influence the behaviour of tied cattle and the results support the general advice that tied cattle should have partitions.

Assessing the animals' relationship to humans in tied dairy cows: between-experimenter repeatability of measuring avoidance reactions

AbstractTests for assessing the animal-human relationship in tied dairy cows have been used in experimental research, but the reliability and feasibility of the measures in the on-farm context has not been studied yet. Therefore we investigated the between-experimenter repeatability of avoidance reactions in dairy cows housed in tie-stall systems. Nine farms in Austria with 15-60 tethered dairy cows were visited. Two to three out of four experimenters were testing the avoidance reaction of the individual cows in a balanced order. Cows were approached slowly from the front and the reactions recorded on an 11-point score. The avoidance reaction of each cow was assessed twice by each experimenter and averaged. Also, a farm value per experimenter was calculated (median). Repeatability between experimenters was assessed within farms and at farm level by calculating Spearman rank correlation coefficients. The average between-experimenter correlations within farms ranged from 0.37 to 0.88. At farm level, median of scores ranged from 2.5 to 6.75 and correlated moderately to highly between experimenters from 0.65 to 0.80. Testing the animals on all farms was relatively simple.The between-experimenter repeatability within farms differed substantially and reasons for this merit further investigation. At farm level repeatability was moderate to sufficiently high. Due to the high feasibility, this measure seems to be promising and should be developed further.

Behaviour and claw health in tied dairy cows with varying access to exercise in an outdoor paddock

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different access to an exercise area on behaviour, time to lie down, claw conformation, claw lesions and milk production. The study was carried out on an organic dairy farm with 52 tied cows. The cows were randomly assigned to one of four treatments, with 13 cows in each group, and matched according to lactation number, milk production and whether or not they were de-horned. The treatments were: exercise every day (E7), exercise two days per week (E2), exercise one day per week (E1) or no exercise (NoE). Exercised cows were brought to one of two outdoor paddocks for 1 h. Observations of behaviour were made using one-zero sampling during the 1 h exercise, twice per month and treatment, during the six months of winter housing (780 min per group in total). Treatment NoE was observed in their stalls during the same time as the other treatments were exercised. The duration of the two phases of the lying down movement was recorded four times per cow. Claw traits were recorded at trimming at the beginning and the end of the six month study period. The farm measured the individual milk yield one day per month. There was an increase in the mean percentage of walking and trotting with decreasing access to exercise. Cows in the E1 and E2 treatment explored the environment more than cows in the E7 treatment. The wear of the claws during the winter was greater for the exercised cows compared to NoE and resulted in shorter claws at spring trimming. There was no difference in the duration of lying down movements for different treatments, nor a difference in milk production. These results shows that adult dairy cows used the time to walk, trot and explore the environment when given access to an outdoor paddock, and that exercise had a positive effect on the claw conformation.

A Rubber Slat System for Tied Dairy Cows: Animal Cleanliness, Foot Health and Behaviour

Although cubicle systems are increasing in Swedish dairies, still approximately 80% of the cows are kept in tie-stalls when housed. Tie-stalls are either long-stalls (2.20 m) or short-stalls (1.70 m). In long-stalls the cows are normally closed out from the feeding table when the herdsman is not in the barn, while in short-stalls they have always access to the feeding table. With less time spent per animal, higher production and larger volumes of manure, cleanliness and related foot lesions are major problems in tie-stalls. Electric cow-trainers and concrete slatted floors are banned by the animal welfare regulations and new systems are needed to improve stall hygiene. A new rubber slat system for tied dairy cows, with the ability to drain faeces and urine, was compared with a solid flooring in a two-year controlled trial in a Swedish experimental herd. Effects on animal cleanliness, foot health and behaviour were of special concern. Swedish Red and White cows were kept tied in 42 traditional long-stalls with rubber mats. In 21 stalls, the rearmost 0.74 m of the solid stall floor had been replaced with nine rubber-coated 53 mm wide slats, divided by 29-mm slots. Cleanliness was assessed weekly (year 1) or bi-weekly (year 2) by observations of the hind part of the body. Claw measurements and foot health in hind feet were assessed in connection with claw trimmings at the beginning, middle and end of the housing period. Behaviour was studied during 48 hours in 12 matched cowpairs using video technique. The risk of getting dirty on the rubber slatted floor was significantly lower (odds ratio 0.12 for hind feet when short stall dividers were used, 0.39 for hind legs and 0.38 for thighs and udder), as compared with the solid stall floor. The prevalence of foot diseases in hind feet at trimming was significantly lower on the rubber slats (odds ratio 0.23 for dermatitis, 0.09 for heel horn erosion, and 0.34 for sole lesions). No adverse effects on animal behaviour (rising and lying down), and health (udder health, trauma) were observed. Based on the present study, the rubber slat system has been approved by the Swedish Board of Agriculture. Abstracts – Oral presentations at 11th ICPD 235

Diurnal distribution of dairy cow defecation and urination

This study investigated the diurnal distribution of urination and defecation in tied dairy cows with reference to management routines and milk yield/feeding intensity. A total of 16 lactating cows and 4 heifers were videotaped during nine consecutive 24-h periods. The cows had a mean of 16.1 defecations per 24h—significantly more than the heifers (P<0.001)—and 9.0 urinations. There were significantly more defecations and urinations per hour during the milking and feeding periods than during the lying periods (P<0.001). The frequency of elimination was lowest during the resting time, with 25% of all eliminations during the 15h. The number of defecations and urinations were not correlated to milk production or stage of lactation. There were significant effects of individual cows on the number of defecations and urinations per 24h (P<0.001). Data published by Fuller in 1928 from 23 lactating cows studied during 24h each, in some cases 72h, were statistically analysed and compared with data from this study. Fuller reports a mean of 15.8 defecations and 7.9 urinations. A comparison between Fuller’s results and those from this study show that average daily number of defecations in lactating cows do not differ between the 1920s and 1990s even though the daily milk production in the latter cows was about double.It is concluded that in dairy cows there does not seem to be any relationship between frequency of eliminations and milk yield or feeding intensity, that there are individual differences in eliminative behaviours, that there are more defecations than urinations per 24-h period, and that the frequency of eliminations is lowest during resting periods.The differences in frequencies of defecations and urinations between individuals underline the need of individually based management routines in tied cattle to minimise the disease risks through dirtiness, mainly mastitis and hoof disorders, thus promoting herd health and reducing the need for antibiotics and other remedies.

Effects of a rubber-slatted flooring system on cleanliness and foot health in tied dairy cows

Effects on animal cleanliness and foot health of a new rubber-slat system for tied dairy cows, with the ability to drain faeces and urine, were studied in a 2-year controlled quasi-randomised trial in a Swedish university herd. Swedish Red and White cows were kept tied in 42 traditional long-stalls with rubber mats. In total, 82 cows were observed. In 21 stalls, the rearmost 0.74 m of the solid stall floor was replaced with nine rubber-coated 53 mm wide slats, divided by 29 mm slots. The cleanliness was assessed subjectively weekly (year 1) or bi-weekly (year 2) by observations of the hind part of the body. Claw measurements and foot health in hind feet were assessed in connection with hoof trimmings at the beginning, middle and end of the housing period. The foot-health recordings were blinded to flooring. For the analysis of both cleanliness (1781 records, 73 cows) and foot health (240 records, 79 cows), logistic regression was applied, using marginal models and cow observations as repeated measures within each year. The risk of getting dirty on the rubber-slatted floor was significantly lower (odds ratio 0.12 for hind feet when short stall dividers were used, 0.39 for hind legs and 0.38 for thighs and udder), comparing with the solid stall floor. The prevalence of foot diseases in hind feet at trimming was significantly lower on the rubber slats (odds ratio 0.23 for dermatitis, 0.09 for heel horn erosion, and 0.34 for sole ulcer or sole or white line haemorrhage).

Effects of two stall flooring systems on the behaviour of tied dairy cows

Effects on dairy cow behaviour of a new type of flooring in tie-stalls, with the ability to drain faeces and urine, was studied in a controlled randomised trial in one Swedish university herd. Forty-two Swedish Red and White cows were kept tied in traditional long-stalls (2.20 m). In 21 stalls (one stall row), the rearmost 0.74 m of the solid stall floor had been replaced with nine rubber-coated 53 mm wide slats, divided by 29 mm slots. Stalls with rubber slats were equipped with 20 mm ethyl-vinyl-acetate (EVA) mats in the front part and littered with 0.7 kg of wood shavings daily, while stalls with a solid floor had standard rubber mats and received 3 kg of chopped straw daily as bedding. Behaviour was compared between the two stall types, using video recordings of 12 matched pairs of cows for two complete 24 h periods each. Statistical analysis was done using the Student’s t-test for matched pairs or the sign test. Cows on the rubber slatted flooring lie down and rise normally and without any increased risk of slipping. They lay down more comfortably, i.e. spent on an average 23% less time preparing to lie down, and slipped less frequently during rising. There was some evidence of a preference for a solid floor when lying.

Effect of daily exercise on the getting up and lying down behaviour of tied dairy cows

The effect of daily exercise on tied dairy cows was studied in 65 first and second calvers of the Swedish Red and White dual-purpose breed in a 4 year experiment. Half the group walked outdoors for 2–3 km day −1 from May to October and 400–800 m day −1 from November to April. The rest of the cows were constantly tied. In the third and fourth years of the experiment and when the cows were in the tenth week of their third to fifth lactation, each cow was documented for movements of getting up and lying down during 24 h by an infra-red sensitive camera and a time-lapse video recorder. In the third year, 19 non-exercised (NE) cows and 18 exercised (E) cows were filmed, and in the fourth year ten NE cows and 13 E cows. When lying down, the time spent from the position when the cow started to move her head in a pendulum movement close to the ground until she had one knee on the floor was recorded (phase 1), and subsequently from this position until she was lying down (phase 2). During both years the NE cows had a significantly longer phase 1 than the E cows, which was associated with a significantly higher number of interrupted pendulum movements. In year 3, the median time for the total act of lying down was 70 s for NE cows and 36 s for E cows, in year 4 it was 46 s and 30 s, respectively. Median time for getting up was 8 s and 7 s for NE and E cows respectively, in both years. The number of getting-ups/lying-downs in 24 h did not differ significantly between the groups, nor did the time needed for getting up. On average, the cows of both groups had a side for lying which they significantly preferred. For the individual cow it could be either the left or the right side. We believe that the differences in time needed for the lying down movement and number of interrupted pendulum movements per lying down were largely due to differences in the condition of the limb joints, tendons and ligaments.

Feeding behavior and management factors during the transition period in dairy cattle.

Little research has focused specifically on the relationships among feeding behavior, management strategy, and optimal intake by the transition cow. Most information must be extrapolated from studies of cattle at other stages of lactation. The transition period can be divided into two distinct phases: 5 to 7 d prepartum, characterized by a 30% reduction in DMI, and 0 to 21 d postpartum, during which time intake should increase rapidly. Feed restriction can reduce number of daily meals by 50%, but when feed is offered for ad libitum consumption, with consistent time of feeding, access can be limited to 8 h daily with no adverse effects on performance of midlactation cows. Sequence of offering feeds may affect intake, but relative degradabilities of dietary protein and starch need to be considered. During early lactation, increased feeding frequency of a total mixed diet may most improve intake when dietary fermentability is moderate to high and management quality is poor. High-producing dairy cows achieve greater intake by increasing meal size and spending less time eating and ruminating per unit of intake. Control of feed intake and meal patterns may differ by parity and should be considered when grouping cattle. Daily exercise of tied dairy cows may not affect intake. Grouping strategy and group feeding behavior influence cow productivity and profitability. Competition for feed and space can be reduced by fenceline feeding vs bunks. Optimum intake during the transition period will occur only if feeding management accommodates normal feeding behavior of dairy cows.

Effects of daily exercise on the health of tied dairy cows

The effect of daily exercise on tied dairy cows was ied in 65 initially first and second calvers of the Swedish Red and White dual-purpose breed in a 4 year experiment, starting in July 1985. Half of the group walked outdoors for 2–3 km day −1 from May to October and 400–800 m day −1 from November to April. The rest of the cows were constantly tied. Health in general was significantly and positively influenced by exercise, reducing the need for veterinary treatments. Analysis over time, within lactations, showed that the difference in the number of veterinary treatments occured entirely in Weeks 0–2 of lactation. During those weeks, non-exercised (NE) cows were more affected by calving-related diseases, mastitis and leg problems than the exercised (E) cows. The difference between groups increased with increasing lactation number. In addition, somatic cell count in the milk was higher for the NE cows in their first month of lactation. Among feeding-related diseases, the cases of bloat were notably more frequent among NE cows, whereas exercise did not influence the occurence of clinical or subclinical ketosis. Cases of non-infectious leg and hoof disorders were also notably more frequent in the NE group, which also showed a significantly more serious score for skin lesions on the hocks, measured on one occasion. Scores for sole ulcer were significantly higher for the E cows on one occasion of four, at which there were problems with the surface of the exercise area. The causes of exclusions strengthened the differences mentioned for treatments.

Effect of Daily Exercise on Performance, Feed Efficiency and Energy Balance of Tied Dairy Cows

The effect of daily exercise on dairy cows was studied in 65 first and second calvers of the Swedish Red and White breed in a four-year experiment, starting in July 1985. Half of the group walked outdoors 3 km/day from May through October and 400-800 m/day from November through April. From July 1986 the distance walked in the summer period was 2 km daily.Daily exercise did not significantly affect voluntary DM intake, the overall energy consumption or production of milk, ECM, fat or protein. The efficiency of milk energy and protein production did not differ between the treatments in lactations 2-4. Mean energy efficiency in these lactations was 5.6 MJ/kg ECM and mean protein efficiency 1213 g AAT/kg protein. However, in lactation 1 and at restricted feeding, milk energy and protein production was significantly less efficient for exercised cows than for non-exercised cows. The difference was 0.39±0.12 MJ/kg ECM (p<0.01) and 132 ± 28 g AAT/kg protein (p<0.001). The discrepancy between the Swedish standard for ME in milk production above maintenance, 5.0 MJ/kg ECM, and the results obtained in this and other recent studies are discussed.Concentrations of serum free fatty acids and plasma glucose were measured once a week in lactation weeks 1-8. No significant differences between the treatment groups were observed. Feeding was ad lib. in lactation weeks 4-12.It was noticed that the cows never lay down in the exercise area, which was covered with sand and soil. Behavioural disturbance in the form of tongue rolling was not influenced by exercise.

The Influence of Age, Breed, Rearing Intensity and Exercise on The Incidence of Spavin in Swedish Dairy Cattle

The hocks of tied cows of a Swedish dairy herd of different breeds were radiographed. Osteoarthrosis of the arthrodial joints (spavin) was found in 37 % of the animals. Changes were seen before the cows were 2 years old, and they increased in severity with increasing age. Macroscopic and histologic examination revealed that there was osteoarthrosis also in many radiologically normal hocks. The study shows that the frequency of spavin in tied dairy cows is higher than clinical signs indicate. Apparently only cows with fusion of the arthrodial joints show the stiff hind leg movements considered typical of spavin. Differences in the incidence of spavin were found between the different breeds. Cows of the Swedish Friesian breed had the lowest (20%) and cows of the Jersey breed had the highest (50%) incidence of spavin. However, as regards the Jersey breed this was due to the high incidence (71%) found in cows raised on a high intensity feeding during the young stock period. Among the SJB cows raised on a normal intensity feeding the incidence of spavin was 25 %. Such a relationship between high young stock feeding intensity and the incidence of spavin was not seen within the other breeds. The cows in another herd with loose housing had a lower frequency of spavin than the tied cows. Offspring of animals with spavin had a higher incidence of spavin than the offspring of animals without spavin.