Preference of Dairy Cattle for Stall Options in Free Stall Housing

Gebremedhin, K. G.; Cramer, C. O.; Larsen, H. J.

doi:10.13031/2013.32490

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…These findings are consistent with other work that reported longer lying times on well-bedded mattresses compared with bare or lightly bedded mattresses . Cows are more likely to spend time lying down in concrete stalls with more bedding (Gebremedhin et al, 1985). However, in experiment 2 and 3, no change was detected in the number of lying bouts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…Jensen et al (1988) found that cows preferred concrete when bedded with 4 to 5 kg of straw, but chose mattresses when little straw bedding remained. Gebremedhin et al (1985) found that cows were more likely to lie down in concrete stalls when bedding levels were increased. reported higher lying times on heavily bedded geotextile mattresses than on those with little or no bedding.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Freestall Maintenance: Effects on Lying Behavior of Dairy Cattle

Drissler

Gaworski

Tucker

et al. 2005

Journal of Dairy Science

124

100

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In a series of 3 experiments, we documented how sand-bedding depth and distribution changed within freestalls after new bedding was added and the effect of these changes on lying behavior. In experiment 1, we measured changes in bedding depth over a 10-d period at 43 points in 24 freestalls. Change in depth of sand was the greatest the day after new sand was added and decreased over time. Over time, the stall surface became concave, and the deepest part of the stall was at the center. Based on the results of experiment 1, we measured changes in lying behavior when groups of cows had access to freestalls with sand bedding that was 0, 3.5, 5.2, or 6.2 cm at the deepest point, below the curb, while other dimensions remained fixed. We found that daily lying time was 1.15 h shorter in stalls with the lowest levels of bedding compared with stalls filled with bedding. Indeed, for every 1-cm decrease in bedding, cows spent 11 min less time lying down during each 24-h period. In a third experiment, we imposed 4 treatments that reflected the variation in sand depth within stalls: 0, 6.2, 9.9, and 13.7 cm below the curb. Again, lying times reduced with decreasing bedding, such that cows using the stalls with the least amount of bedding (13.7 cm below curb) spent 2.33 h less time per day lying down than when housed with access to freestalls filled with sand (0 cm below curb).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Freestall Maintenance: Effects on Lying Behavior of Dairy Cattle

Drissler

Gaworski

Tucker

et al. 2005

Journal of Dairy Science

124

100

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“…In this study, several farmers blamed dirtiness on the behavior of individual animals in choosing a suboptimal place for lying. If cattle are free to choose, they will choose a lying area that is soft [ 58 , 59 ], dry and clean [ 60 , 61 , 62 ], and has a lot of bedding material [ 63 ]. Since lying behavior in cattle is strongly linked to comfort and welfare [ 64 , 65 , 66 ], it is unlikely that cattle will voluntarily choose to lie down somewhere wet and dirty.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cattle Cleanliness from the View of Swedish Farmers and Official Animal Welfare Inspectors

Hedman

Andersson

Kinch

et al. 2021

Animals

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Dirty cattle have been commonly recorded in official animal welfare inspections in Sweden for years. The relevant authorities have initiated work to better understand the causes of dirty cattle, in order to improve compliance and standardize the grounds for categorizing a farm as non-compliant with welfare legislation when dirty animals are present. This study investigated the occurrence of dirty cattle in official animal welfare controls, on Swedish cattle farms, and examined farmers’ views on the reasons for non-compliance and on key factors in keeping animals clean. The data used were collected by animal welfare inspectors at the county level during the regular official inspections of 371 dairy and beef cattle farms over two weeks in winter 2020. In addition to completing the usual inspection protocol, the inspectors asked farmers a set of questions relating to why their animals were clean or dirty. Dirty cattle were found on 49% of the farms inspected, but only 33% of the farms were categorized as being non-compliant with Swedish welfare legislation. According to inspectors and farmers, dirtiness in cattle depends mainly on management routines, which is a promising result since routines can be improved. The results also revealed a need for better guidance for inspectors and farmers on when dirtiness should be categorized as non-compliance with animal welfare legislation.

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“…In cattle, Manninen et al (2002) report that cows prefer ST to plastic mattresses in winter, probably owing to its insulating properties, and also prefer ST to sand. For their part, Gebremedhin et al (1985) describe a preference for SU over synthetic mattresses. Werhahn et al (2010) found that horses prefer ST to wood shavings, but with great individual variability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%