The effect of keeping on the behaviour of dairy cows. Social behaviour in insulated tied housing and uninsulated loose housing cowsheds
2000
Veermae, I. | Aland, A. | Poikalainen, V. | Praks, J. (Estonian Agricultural Univ., Tartu (Estonia). Faculty of Veterinary Medicine)
The aim of the study was to compare the influence of dairy cows' social behaviour on using feed and resting resources in a traditional tied housing cowshed and in an uninsulated loose housing cowshed with deep litter. In the tied housing cowshed, the number of the occurrences of conflicts and sympathy increased before the resting period, when animals were competing for places to recline. There were also more conflicts at the end of the eating period, when animals were competing for the remains of the feed. In loose housing, the subordinate animal had to change location and move considerably more frequently. As the reclining area was sufficient, the status in the hierarchy did not influence resting behaviour. An animal from a lower level in the hierarchy spent less time in a feeding area and ate later. The "redistribution" of resources, contingent upon the hierarchy, appeared in both housing systems and points to the incompleteness of the technology
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