Cattle

Understanding cows’ emotions on farm: Are eye white and ear posture reliable indicators?

Understanding the emotions of dairy cows is primarily important in enhancing the level of welfare and provide a better life on farm. This study explored whether eye white and ear posture can reliably contribute to interpret valence and arousal of...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Battini, M., Agostini, A., Mattiello, S. 2019. Understanding cows' emotions on farm: Are eye white and ear posture reliable indicators? Animals 9(8), 477.

Human-animal interactions in dairy buffalo farms

This study aimed to assess the relationship between stockperson behavior and buffalo behavior. The research was carried out in 27 buffalo farms. The behavior of stockpeople and animals during milking and the avoidance distance at the feeding place were recorded....

Year Published: 2019Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Napolitano, F., Serrapica, F., Braghieri, A. et al. 2019. Human-animal interactions in dairy buffalo farms. Animals 9(5), 246.

Cow lying behaviour and bedding quality changes during five weeks on a stand-off pad

Bedding quality and cow lying time were measured during five weeks in a normal farm practice (NFP) off-paddock system with no bedding refreshment. Two groups of 100 non-lactating dairy cows were compared to groups of 8 cows with fresh bedding...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: O'Connor, C., Dowling, S., Cave, V. et al. 2019. Cow lying behaviour and bedding quality changes during five weeks on a stand-off pad. Animals 9(5), 257.

Validation of a commercial automated body condition scoring system on a commercial dairy farm

Body condition scoring (BCS) is the management practice of assessing body reserves of individual animals by visual or tactile estimation of subcutaneous fat and muscle. Both high and low BCS can negatively impact milk production, disease, and reproduction. Visual or...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Mullins, I. L., Truman, C. M., Campler, M. et al. 2019. Validation of a commercial automated body condition scoring system on a commercial dairy farm. Animals 9(6), 287-287.

Development of a welfare assessment protocol for dairy calves from birth through to weaning

The aim of this study was to develop a welfare assessment protocol using different indicators, for pre-weaned dairy calves, that is feasible and time efficient. To this end, the protocol had to combine animal-based indicators (measurements on physiology, general appearance...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Barry, J., Kennedy, E., Sayers, R. et al. 2019. Development of a welfare assessment protocol for dairy calves from birth through to weaning. Animal Welfare 28(3), 331-344.

Can access to an automated grooming brush and/or a mirror reduce stress of dairy cows kept in social isolation?

In dairy farming, social isolation of cattle is commonly practiced for husbandry procedures such as artificial insemination, claw trimming and at times, for provision of medical treatment. When isolated, cows express physiological and behavioural signs of stress, such as elevated...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Mandel, R., Wenker, M. L., van Reenen, K. et al. 2019. Can access to an automated grooming brush and/or a mirror reduce stress of dairy cows kept in social isolation? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 211, 1-8.

Effects of surface type in an uncovered stand-off pad system on comfort and welfare of non-lactating dairy cows during winter

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of stand-off surface type on cow lying behaviour, cleanliness and lameness. One hundred and sixty Friesian × Jersey crossbreed, pregnant non-lactating dairy cows were blocked into five groups of 32...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Al-Marashdeh, O., Cameron, K. C., Bryant, R. H. et al. 2019. Effects of surface type in an uncovered stand-off pad system on comfort and welfare of non-lactating dairy cows during winter. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 211, 17-24.

A single dose of ketoprofen in the immediate postpartum period has the potential to improve dairy calf welfare in the first 48 h of life

The welfare impact of birth on newborn calves has rarely been studied. Dystocia in particular may have significant welfare costs for calves. While analgesia is sometimes provided to calves born to difficult parturition by veterinary surgeons in practice, it is...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Analgesia, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Gladden, N., Ellis, K., Martin, J. et al. 2019. A single dose of ketoprofen in the immediate postpartum period has the potential to improve dairy calf welfare in the first 48 h of life. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 212, 19-29.

Does dairy calves’ motivation for social play behaviour build up over time?

Dairy calves are often housed in individual pens, which limits play behaviour. This study investigates whether the motivation for social play builds up during periods of deprivation hereof. Sixteen mixed-sex pairs of calves (33 ± 3 days of age) were...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Bertelsen, M., Jensen, M. B. 2019. Does dairy calves' motivation for social play behaviour build up over time? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 214, 18-24.

What stockperson behavior during weighing reveals about the relationship between humans and suckling beef cattle: A preliminary study

The human-animal relationship is a key component of human and farm-animal welfare. Farm surveys, particularly for pig, dairy cattle and veal calf production, which include regular human contact, showed that animals may face aversive handling during daily work routines, which...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Destrez, A., Haslin, E., Boivin, X. 2018. What stockperson behavior during weighing reveals about the relationship between humans and suckling beef cattle: A preliminary study. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 209, 8-13.