Influence of the transfer from a total confinement housing system to a free stall and milking parlour system on milk production, udder health and milking efficiency
1995
Ichikawa, T. (Kitasato Univ., Towada, Aomori (Japan). Coll. of Veterinary and Animal Sciences) | Sasaki, T. | Kariya, T. | Hara, S. | Minagawa, H.
Eighty-four milking cows that had been kept under a confinement housing system were transferred to a free stall and milking parlour system. The influence of sudden cow movements on production, udder health and cow behaviour, and changes in milking efficiency were determined during a period of five and half months extending from before and continuing after the transfer. Milking efficiency expressed as "cows/man/hour" improved according to the change in milking system, doubling three months after the transfer when compared to the average efficiency of two barns before. However marked decreases in milk production and constituents were found in the first two months after the transfer, with several months needed for recovery. The influence on udder health appeared two months after the transfer. Cows spent most of the time standing and walking, and a little time eating and ruminating, during a 24 hour period from six hours after the transfer. Frequent occurrences of foot and leg troubles were observed during several months after the transfer. The results from the present observation suggest that special attention should be paid to adapting cows to their new housing system, especially when cows which have been under a total confinement housing system are transferred to a loose housing system. Letting cows exercise in a paddock or grazing them for adaptation to living in groups is a feasible option
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