Detecting Ultra- and Circadian Activity Rhythms of Dairy Cows in Automatic Milking Systems Using the Degree of Functional Coupling—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Ultra- and circadian activity rhythms of animals can provide important insights into animal welfare. The consistency of behavioral patterns is characteristic of healthy organisms, while changes in the regularity of behavioral rhythms may indicate health and stress-related challenges. This pilot study aimed to examine whether dairy cows in free-stall barns with an automatic milking system (AMS) and free cow traffic can develop ultra- and circadian activity rhythms. On 4 dairy farms, pedometers recorded the activity of 10 cows each over 28 days. Based on time series calculation, the Degree of Functional Coupling (DFC) was used to determine the cows' activity rhythms. The DFC identified significant rhythmic patterns in sliding 7-day periods and indicated the percentage of activity (0–100%) that was synchronized with the 24-h day-night rhythm. As light is the main factor influencing the sleep-wake cycle of organisms, light intensity was recorded in the AMS, at the feed alley and in the barn of each farm. In addition, feeding and milking management were considered as part of the environmental context. Saliva samples of each cow were taken every 3 h for 1 day to determine the melatonin concentration. The DFC approach was successfully used to detect activity rhythms of dairy cows in commercial housing systems. However, large inter- and intra-individual variations were observed. Due to a high frequency of 0 and 100%, a median split was used to dichotomize into “low” (<72.34%) and “high” (≥72.34%) DFC. Forty percent of the sliding 7-day periods corresponded to a low DFC and 50% to a high DFC. No DFC could be calculated for 10% of the periods, as the cows' activity was not synchronized to 24 h. A generalized linear mixed-effects model revealed that the DFC levels were positively associated with a longer milking interval and a higher amount of daytime activity and negatively associated with higher number of lactations. The DFC is a novel approach to animal behavior monitoring. Due to its automation capability, it represents a promising tool in its further development for the purpose of longitudinal monitoring of animal welfare.

Basic concepts, recent advances, and future perspectives in the diagnosis of bovine mastitis

“…4 ). The automatic milking system has become a standard approach in large farms, and it affects the welfare and health of animals by reducing the percentage of infection [ 125 ]. Any online mastitis diagnosis is achieved by assessing the SCCs, EC, or color.…”

Indicators of functional integrity in production animals

“…As noted above, monitoring behavioural complexity and affect dynamics may also contribute to assessment of social and hedonic dimensions of wellbeing. An important issue for application of real-time monitoring to animal management is the need for thresholds as triggers for intervention (Sun et al 2021;Wagner et al 2021;Fuchs et al 2022). Continuous monitoring of individuals creates the possibility of establishing individualised thresholds that align with persistent differences among individuals in physiological, behavioural and affective characteristics associated with personality.…”

“…While individualised thresholds may be feasible, it would, nonetheless, be highly desirable to have universal thresholds that do not require alignment with persistent individual differences. Studies by Nunes Marsiglio Sarout et al (2018), Wagner et al (2021) and Fuchs et al (2022) showed some promise for developing general (universal) thresholds for describing deviations in circadian functions.…”

Periodicity Intensity of the 24 h Circadian Rhythm in Newborn Calves Show Indicators of Herd Welfare

“…There has been very little use of wearable sensors in calf welfare, especially in newborn calves, where the aim is to have high calf vitality, which can be defined as having the “capacity to live and grow with physical and mental energy and strength” [ 8 ]. This is despite the knowledge that for dairy cows, the consistency of behavioural patterns as measured by circadian rhythms is a characteristic of good health and welfare while changes to the regular patterns can be precursors of health issues [ 9 , 10 ].…”