12. Dairy Behaviour Flashcards
What are the 3 types of facility designs?
- Tie-stall
- stay tethered
- get out once a day or every other day
- milker comes to them - Free-stall
- the norm in Canada
- loafing areas
- they go to the milker - Robotic Farm
- robotic milkers
- cows decide when to go through
What cows enter the milking parlor first?
There is a tendency for dominant cows to enter the parlor first however, the order is mostly affected by who is highest yielding (usually most dom, but not necessarily)
- Positive correlation between milk yield and milking order; higher reward to relieve pressure
Prior to milking how do cows behave?
Cows are restless due to weight, fullness, and udder pressure
During milking how do cows behave?
- Most cows settle and stand calmly
- New cows are more restless and may jump or kick milking machine off udder
- Manual stimulation results in shorter machine-on times (higher milking efficiency) and higher peak and average milk flow rates
- Rough management can increase machine-on time
What does manual stimulation during milking result in?
Shorter machine-on times (higher milking efficiency) and higher peak and average milk flow rates
How does a typical cow on farm allocate her time?
- 12.5 hrs/day lying down and resting
- 10 hrs/day eating, drinking, chewing cud, exercising and socializing
- 1.5 hrs/day in the milking parlor
Why is locomotion important for dairy cow welfare?
One of the biggest welfare issues in dairy is lameness
- locomotion: walking, trotting, and galloping
- forward motions
- recommend walking for at least 1 hr/day or at least 3 km/day to prevent health problems
- space and facility design are determining factors in movement
- motivated to move by food, water, companionship, shelter, grooming, a sexual partner, space
How does a cow lay down vs stand up?
Lying down
- Kneels down with one foreleg, then both, and then tucks one hind limb under her abdomen and lowers rear end
- Approximately 35 seconds
Standing up
- Pendulum movement (lunge forward); rump up before the front
- Requires more room than lying down
How do young, pre-ruminant cattle lay? How do adult cows lay?
Lateral recumbent position (when adequate space is provided)
Adult cows lay in a sternal recumbent position
Beyond sleep, why is rest really important for dairy cows?
Hooves rest and dry off
- really important for hoof health
- if rlly restless can get a lot of hoof problems
How does rest relate to milk yield?
Blood circulation through the udder increases by up to 30% which increases milk yield
How often do dairy cows require feed?
Dairy cows require feed throughout the entire day to keep the rumen healthy
- rumen pH: 6.0-6.2
- below 5.5 = acidosis
- they are grazing animals and consume large quantities of forages
What do cows use to feed and drink?
Lips, teeth, and tongue
How is the bolus (mass of food) formed? What happens with it?
- Bolus of fibrous particles formed by chewing and mixing with salvia
- Once chewed, the bolus is moved by the tongue to the esophagus and delivered to the rumen
- Mixing saliva with feed increases lubrication, chemical buffers, and pre-digestive enzymes which help maintain rumen health
- 60-70 bites/min while ruminating
For how long will cows ruminate?
On average for 6-8 hrs/day in 8, 45 minute bouts/day
- continues several hours after dusk
- 60-70 bites/min while ruminating
Sorting behaviour
- A feeding behaviour
- Using its nose, a cow will sort through its feed selecting for higher concentrated particles from a TMR (total mixed ration)
- Increases SARA (sub acute rumen acidosis)
Throwing food
- A feeding behaviour
- Scoops feed into mouth and then shovels the feed over it’s back
- Could be due to restricting the normal head swinging, grazing motion
How much water does a dairy cow drink?
- Depending on lactation stage, cows drink btw 50-100 L/day; lactating cows should be close to a water supply
- Intake peaks to 40% of intake one hour after milking to maintain rumen osmolarity
- Milk is 85-88% water
- 3-4 meters is needed around the water trough to reduce pushing and shoving
- eat, then drink, eat, then drink
What is the optimal temperature for drinking water for cows?
Between 15-17 degrees
What cows will use a water bowl less frequently?
Submissive cows use a water bowl less frequently than their more aggressive partners using the same water bowl
- space can help with this
When does puberty commence? What advances first estrus in heifers?
- Puberty commences at 6 months
- Presence of a bull will advance first estrus in heifers
How long is estrus? What is true estrus? What is the behavioural manifestation of sexual receptivity?
- Lasts on average 14 hrs in a 21 day cycle; occurs before ovulation
- True estrus (standing heat) = cow stands to be mounted by male or female
- Lordosis
What is an indicator used in dairy breeding that a cow is in estrus (heat) or coming in/out of heat?
Female-female mounting
- cow STANDING is in heat; cow MOUNTING is coming in/out of heat
What behaviours are indicative of a cow approaching parturition?
- Restless in stalls or seeks isolation from group
- Increased activity; walking, standing/lying bouts
- Kicks fore feet at stomach or flank
- Decreased feed intake
- Vocalizations
What 4 things does the dam do during labour?
- Stands and lays frequently
- Sprawls on back with all legs stretched out during contractions
- Rises to side and then lays back frequently
- Placentophagy (eats own placenta); prey species
What 3 things will a dam do postpartum?
- Removes mucus from calf by licking calf clean
- Dam helps calf stand
- Positions body to initiate suckling
How much time is needed for the formation of a maternal bond with a calf?
5-min contact with a calf immediately post partum is sufficient
- need to be on site to separate IMMEDIATELY
- after 24 h of separation, the cow still shows signs of distress but may not recognize her own calf if insufficient bond formation prior to separation)
- usually separated within 24 h after calving but time varies by producer; later separation = stress to dams
What happens following birth?
- The mother licks the young to stimulate breathing, circulation, urination and defecation
- Calves stand ~30 mins after birth
- Suckling begins 0.5-1 h after birth
- During suckling, cow licks the calf for recognition and acceptance
What is neonatal social behaviour manifested by?
Licking, smelling, playing and jumping
- Social animals and require contact with other calves or their mothers
- Have a preference for games in which aggressive elements can be found (eg. play fighting)
What 3 important factors influence neonatal resting behaviour?
- Age
- Floor Structure
- Health state
*Younger animals require a longer rest period
What are 7 ways of detecting estrus in dairy cows?
- Tail chalk
- Kamar patches
- Visual observation
- Heat watch
- Pedometers
- Activity monitors
- SensOor
What are 3 ways of detecting parturition in dairy cows?
- iVEt
- insert in vulva, send signal to phone when displaced - Video monitor
- Moocall
What is the locomotion scoring system used for dairy cows?
- Normal with flat back
- Mildly lame
- Moderately lame
- Lame
- Severely lame
