Cattle

The effect of flooring type and social grouping on the rest and growth of dairy calves

We studied the effect of softness of flooring and the presence of a companion calf on calves' growth and rest by housing 1-week-old calves for 20 weeks in one of the three housing treatments: housed in pairs (n = 12...

Year Published: 2005Animal Type: Cattle

Citation: Hanninen L, De Passille AM, Rushen J. 2005. The effect of flooring type and social grouping on the rest and growth of dairy calves. App Anim Behav Sci. 91;193-204.

Dairy calves social preferences and the significance of a companion animal during separation from the group

Calves seem to prefer a familiar calf to an unfamiliar calf, and the presence and familiarity of a companion calf affects the calves' reaction to separation.

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Cattle

Citation: Faerevik, G., Jensen, M. B., Boe, K. E. 2006. Dairy calves social preferences and the significance of a companion animal during separation from the group . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 99(3-4), 205-221.

Progress and challenges in animal handling and slaughter in the U.S.

Most plants were able to greatly improve welfare by improving stunner maintenance; installing non-slip floor gratings in stun boxes and better training. They also had to make simple, low cost changes to eliminate distractions that cause animals to balk and...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Cattle, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Grandin, T. 2006. Progress and challenges in animal handling and slaughter in the U.S. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 100(1-2), 129-139.

Stocking density and the feed barrier design affect the feeding and social behavior of dairy cattle

The objectives of this study were to: 1) evaluate how stocking density at the feed bunk affects feeding and social behavior of dairy cows; and 2) determine if this effect is further influenced by the type of feed barrier used....

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Cattle

Citation: Huzzey, J. M., DeVries, T. H., Valois, P. et al. 2006. Stocking density and the feed barrier design affect the feeding and social behavior of dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 126-133.

A critical review of fear tests used on cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry and horses

Fear is arguably the most commonly investigated emotion in domestic animals. In the current review we attempt to establish the level of repeatability and validity found for fear tests used on cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, poultry and horses. We...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Bird, Cattle, Chicken, Equine, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Forkman, B., Boissy, A., Meunier-Sala?n, M. C. et al. 2007. A critical review of fear tests used on cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry and horses. Physiology and Behavior 92, 340-374.

Oral behaviors of beef steers in pen and pasture environments

Steers in a pen environment under a restricted feeding period might compensate for a lower amount of time spent feeding by performing nonnutritive oral behaviors (self-grooming, allogrooming, licking objects, and tongue rolling). However, the level of nonnutritive oral behaviors was...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Cattle

Citation: Ishiwata, T., Uetake, K., Kilgour, R. J. et al. 2007. Oral behaviors of beef steers in pen and pasture environments. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 10(2), 185-192.

On-farm assessment of the lying behaviour of finishing bulls kept in housing systems with different floor qualities

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of floor quality (straw-bedding lying area, rubber-coated slats, concrete slats) on the lying behaviour of finishing bulls. Rubber-coated slats improve traction on the ground but are not able to provide...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Cattle

Citation: Gygax, L., Mayer, C., Schulze Westerath, H. et al. 2007. On-farm assessment of the lying behaviour of finishing bulls kept in housing systems with different floor qualities. Animal Welfare 16(2), 205-208.

Rank correlated use of soft flooring by dairy cattle

The present study covers rank correlated use of soft flooring during partial replacement (45% of the total floor space) of concrete slatted floor by rubber covering. The results demonstrate that the extent of use of soft rubber flooring correlates to...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Cattle

Citation: Platz, S., Ahrens, F., Bendel, J. et al. 2007. Rank correlated use of soft flooring by dairy cattle. Animal Welfare 16(2), 255-257.

Designing welfare-friendly housing for dairy cows

Year Published: 2008Animal Type: Cattle

Citation: Cook NB, Smith RA. 2008. Designing welfare-friendly housing for dairy cows. Proceedings of the 41st Ann Conf of the Am Assoc of Bovine Practitioners. 78-84.

How important is shade to dairy cattle? Choice between shade or lying following different levels of lying deprivation

Provision of shade to dairy cattle in summer can alleviate negative effects of heat stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative importance of shade to lactating dairy cows in different ambient weather conditions in summer. The...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Schütz, K. E., Cox, N. R., Matthews, L. R. 2008. How important is shade to dairy cattle? Choice between shade or lying following different levels of lying deprivation. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 114(3-4), 307-318 .