The effect of temporary deprivation of lying and feeding on the behaviour and production of lactating dairy cows

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of depriving dairy cows of the ability to feed and lie down for short periods, on behaviour and production. In experiment 1, cows were deprived by confining them in pairs in a pen for 2 or 4 h, and they more frequently exhibited behaviour likely to suggest discomfort -leg stamping, repositioning themselves, shifting their weight between legs and butting. After deprivation, the cows deprived for 2 h made up their lost feeding time within 24 h, but cows deprived for 4 h did not restore their feeding time within the 41-h period of observation. Lying time was not restored in either treatment within the 41-h period. Milk yield was not affected by the treatment. However, in experiment 2, when cows were deprived of feeding and lying for 4 h, during which time their hooves were trimmed (which is likely to be a painful and stressful procedure and result in some discomfort for a period post-trimming) the evidence suggested that milk yield was reduced by approximately 2 l/day for 3 days, with corresponding increases during the subsequent 2 days. Walking speed on returning to the herd was the same as before the treatment. In summary, temporary deprivation of feeding and lying for 2 and 4 h/day induced behaviours that were indicative of discomfort and frustration but had no negative effect on milk production, except when 4 h of deprivation was accompanied by foot trimming.

Different animal welfare orientations towards some key research areas of current relevance to pastoral dairy farming in New Zealand

“…Behavioural evidence of increased discomfort and frustration in cows deprived of lying for 2-4 hours (Cooper et al 2008) is consistent with the prediction that preventing cows from carrying out a highly valued behaviour such as lying will also have negative impacts on affective state. In addition, cows that reduce their time lying while on muddy surfaces or concrete tend to compensate by trading off feeding for lying when returned to pasture (Fisher et al 2003;).…”

Milk yield affects time budget of dairy cows in tie-stalls

“…Ruckebusch (1974) observed that cows slept more following sleep deprivation. Several authors have reported that cows, after few hours of forced standing, spend a longer time lying than cows with free access to lie down (Metz, 1985;Cooper et al, 2007Cooper et al, , 2008 indicating that the motivation to rest builds up after few hours of lying deprivation.…”

Discrimination of healthy versus sick steers by means of continuous remote monitoring of animal activity

“…21 Abnormal feeding and drinking behaviors as well as decreased overall activity often precede sickness in various species of animals. 18 Studies 22,23 have indicated that cattle deprived of adequate periods of sternal recumbency develop physiologic and behavioral signs of stress. There is also evidence that changes in lying behavior can be related to lameness 24,25 and that the activity of animals may serve as an indicator of health.…”