Animal welfare in the milk ewes breeding
2011
Tancredi, F. | Roncoroni, C. | Di Domenico, E. | Alfieri, L. | Lai, O., Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana, Roma (Italy)
The aim of the research was to assess the ewes welfare according to different management systems and quality production parameters such as somatic cell count in milk that is considered an efficacious welfare indicator within a flock. Four ewes farms were selected among 331 milk farms, on the basis of somatic cell count trend in the previous year. Two farms (A and B) showed somatic cell values below regional average value (1.173.000 cell/ml) whereas two farms (C and D) reported somatic cell values above. Specific datasheets were developed in order to collect informations about farm management and welfare indicators. Visiting farms, data have been recorded considering the whole management system, mostly milking characteristics, in order to assess indirect parameters related to housing and management. In this study it comes out clearly that the beginning of milking represents a particularly stressful event to face, despite the different farm management, sanitary parameters and nutritional balance. Moreover the evidence of high milk somatic cell count emphasizes the need for farm control programs in order to improve milking machine functioning, milk hygiene and mammary health. Finally, it is basic to organize teaching programs and advices to field workers.
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