The welfare assessment of tied dairy cows in 52 small farms in north-estern transylvania using animal-based measurements | Presoja dobrega pocutja krav molznic v vezani reji na 52 manjsih kmetijah v severnovzhodni Transilvaniji (Romunija) na podlagi ocenjenih zunanjih lastnosti zivali
2010
Popescu, S., University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, (Romania) | Borda, C. | Sandru, C. D. | Stefan, R. | Lazar, E.
The aim of this work was to assess the dairy cows' welfare in small farms in the region of North-Eastern Transyl vania (Romania) based on several animal associated parameters: body condition score (BCS), body hygiene (cleanliness), lameness, skin injuries, fur condition and flight distance, respectively. Four hundred and seventy three dairy cows housed in tie-stalls in 52 small farms were assessed (5-20 cows/farm). The indicator parameters were determined through specific methods. Among the 473 evaluated cows 267 (56.45%) had a BCS between 1.5 - 2 being considered thin cows; 162 (34.25%) had dull hair on their back; 68 (14.38%) showed skin lesions in different body zones; 69 (14.59%) showed fear at the observer's approach; 23 (4.86%) were moderately lame. The percentage for scores of 3 and 4 in body cleanliness was 11% at the level of the lower legs, 14% in the udder region and 19% in the area of the flank and upper legs. The obtained results indicate that more than half of the assessed cows are thin, which has a negative impact on their health and welfare. The main factors that affect the dairy cows' welfare in North-Eastern Transylvania are inappropriate feeding and the tied housing system.
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