Invited review: The welfare of dairy cattle housed in tiestalls compared to less-restrictive housing types: A systematic review

Abstract

Many dairy cattle worldwide are housed in tiestalls, meaning that they are tethered by the neck to individual stalls. On some farms, tied cattle are permitted seasonal access to pasture, but otherwise their movements are restricted compared with cows housed in freestall barns or other loose housing systems. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the scientific literature pertaining the welfare of tied dairy cattle through comparison with less-restrictive housing systems. Articles identified by PubMed and Web of Science underwent a 5-phase screening process, resulting in the inclusion of 102 papers. These papers addressed measures of welfare related to affective state, natural behavior, and health (with the lattermost category subdivided into hoof and leg disorders, lameness, mastitis, transition disease, and other diseases or conditions). Health was the most researched topic (discussed in 86% of articles); only 19% and 14% of studies addressed natural behavior and affective state, respectively. Our review highlights different health benefits for tethered and loose cattle. For example, tied cattle experience reduced prevalence of white line disease and digital dermatitis, whereas loose cattle experience fewer leg lesions and injuries. The prevalence of mastitis, transition diseases, and other conditions did not differ consistently across housing types. We found that the expression of certain natural behaviors, particularly those associated with lying down (e.g., time spent kneeling, unfulfilled intentions to lie down), were impaired in tiestalls. Articles addressing affective state found benefits to loose housing, but these studies focused almost exclusively on (1) physiological measurements and (2) cow comfort, a concept that lacks a consistent operational definition across studies. We call for future research into the af-fective state of tied cattle that extends beyond these explorations and employs more sophisticated methodologies.

Alteration in Activity Patterns of Cows as a Result of Pain Due to Health Conditions

“…The major effect of this under-recognition of lameness is not that lame cows are not treated but that treatment is delayed more than 3 weeks, especially of less severely lame cows [ 105 ]. Lameness prevalence ranges from 5.1% to 54.8% [ 106 ], with the highest rates observed in herds housed in tie-stalls [ 107 ] and free-stalls [ 108 , 109 , 110 ]. Although the effect between free-stall and tie-stall housing on lameness incidences is not clear [ 107 ], several studies conclude that lameness in tie-stalls system are underestimated due to the difficulty of assessing it [ 111 , 112 ].…”

“…Lameness prevalence ranges from 5.1% to 54.8% [ 106 ], with the highest rates observed in herds housed in tie-stalls [ 107 ] and free-stalls [ 108 , 109 , 110 ]. Although the effect between free-stall and tie-stall housing on lameness incidences is not clear [ 107 ], several studies conclude that lameness in tie-stalls system are underestimated due to the difficulty of assessing it [ 111 , 112 ]. The use of a Lameness Scoring System (LCS) on a regular basis is the most effective means of identifying lameness in cows.…”

The Effect of Housing System on Disease Prevalence and Productive Lifespan of Dairy Herds—A Case Study

“…A review of the literature comparing the effects of tie-stall and free-stall housing systems on the performance, health, fertility and behavior of dairy cows revealed that each system has its strengths and weaknesses, but the analyzed parameters tended to be higher in free-stall barns [9]. It is difficult to accept the lack of basic freedom of movement in tie-stall systems [10,11]. Research has shown that selected technological solutions can improve animal welfare and decrease greenhouse or toxic gas emissions and microbiological contamination in buildings, which indirectly improves the health status and disease resistance of animals [12,13].…”

Performance of Various Filtering Media for the Treatment of Cow Manure from Exercise Pens—A Laboratory Study

“…This housing system is controversial because it restricts the voluntary movement of the cows and their ensuing social behavior [3,4]. Moreover, tie-stalls are associated with problems including hock swellings and abrasions, neck lesions, broken tails, and lameness [5][6][7]. Consequently, for lactating cows any exercising opportunities as often as possible have become mandatory and an integral part of the Dairy Cattle Code of Practice of the National Farm Animal Care Council [8].…”