scholarly journals Effects of Compost-Bedded Pack Barn on Circulating Cortisol and Beta-Endorphins in Dairy Cows: A Case Study

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3318
Author(s):  
Rosangela Odore ◽  
Ilaria Biasato ◽  
Giulia Gardini ◽  
Antonio D’Angelo ◽  
Claudio Bellino
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Cow Welfare ◽  
Beta Endorphins ◽  
Over Time

The up-to-date literature suggests that the compost-bedded pack barn housing system is capable of remarkably improving productive and reproductive performance, as well as health status and welfare, in dairy cattle. However, there is currently limited knowledge available on the endocrine and biochemical changes in animals housed in such alternative systems. Therefore, this study aimed to measure blood cortisol (COR) and beta-endorphins (BE) in 22 two-year-old primiparae Fleckvieh cows, who were randomly allotted to the following two different housing systems: CB (n = 11) and FB (n = 11). Blood samples were collected at the beginning of the experiment (T0) and every two months thereafter (T1, T2, and T3). The COR and BE were measured through an immunoenzymatic kit. With the only exception being T0, no differences were observed over time between the two groups, neither for COR nor for BE. However, the blood cortisol levels of the CB cows decreased over time, while a T1 peak was identified in the FB group. On the contrary, both the housing systems displayed numerically higher BE at T3 than at the other experimental times. Therefore, the overall data suggest that the compost-bedded pack barn did not significantly affect the studied parameters. Accordingly, cow welfare should be assessed using a wider panel of animal-based indicators.

scholarly journals Rearing conditions, health and welfare of dairy cows

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 25-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Slavca Hristov ◽  
B. Stankovic ◽  
Z. Zlatanovic ◽  
M. Joksimovic-Todorovic ◽  
V. Davidovic
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Absolute Minimum ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Risk Of Injury ◽  
Normal Behavior ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Rearing Conditions ◽  
Recent Developments

This paper provides an overview of recent developments in rearing conditions, health and welfare issues of dairy cows. The last approximately 30 years has witnessed worldwide increasing scientific research, consumer activity, and political response towards housing condition, health and welfare issues of dairy cattle. All buildings and housing systems for dairy cattle should be designed, constructed, maintained and managed to assist in the achievement of the Five Freedoms: freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury and disease, freedom to express normal behavior and freedom from fear and distress. Whether dairy cows are housed in cubicles, straw yards or cow sheds, in order to maximize their performance and to ensure satisfactory standards of welfare, the accommodation must provide the most basic behavioral and physiological needs. As an absolute minimum, the housing must provide a comfortable, clean, well drained and dry lying area together with shelter from adverse weather. Also, it must allow the cow to move freely around without risk of injury and certain diseases. If the housing system does not provide for these basic needs, then not only will health, welfare and production of dairy cattle be compromised, but it is likely that failure to comply with the welfare codes and the law relating to animal welfare will occur.

Longitudinal study of adverse behaviour of undocked pigs in two different housing systems

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 165-168
Author(s):  
H. A. Van de Weerd ◽  
C. M. Docking ◽  
J .E. L. Day ◽  
K. Breuer ◽  
S. A. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Flow System ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Biting Behaviour

AbstractThe development of adverse behaviour in group–housed growing/ finishing pigs with intact tails was studied in a straw–flow housing system and in a part–slatted system with a commercial enrichment object. Food intake, body weight and behaviour were monitored over the finishing period, with tail biting outbreaks defined as an occasion where three or more pigs within a group had freshly damaged tails and tail biting behaviour was ongoing. Data from the two systems were analysed to identify tail–biting outbreaks and behavioural changes over time. Levels of pig manipulation were higher in the part–slatted system. Over time, pigs in both systems showed reduced interest in the enrichment provided, but not in each other. Despite the presence of the enrichment device, tail biting occurred in all groups in the part–slatted system, but only 1/12 groups in the straw–flow system. The amount of time occupied by manipulation of the enrichment provided was very significantly higher for straw than for the commercial object. Better design of enrichment strategies is therefore needed and should be based on species–relevant requirements.

scholarly journals Dairy cows welfare quality in loose vs tie housing system

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 975-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Ostojic-Andric ◽  
S. Hristov ◽  
Z. Novakovic ◽  
V. Pantelic ◽  
M.M. Petrovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Dairy Animals ◽  
Welfare Quality ◽  
Cow Welfare ◽  
Lying Down

The subject of this research was to determine the effect of the housing system on quality of welfare of dairy cattle in Serbia. Study was realized on six farms, capacity of 30 to 900 cows, with loose and tie housing system. Assessment of the welfare quality parameters was done by using the Welfare Quality? Assessment Protocol for Cattle, 2009. Results of the research show that the welfare quality of dairy animals is under the significant effect of housing system, and that loose system has the advantage when it comes to comfort around resting, easy of movements and health condition of cows. Share of not lame cows (81%) and cows with no lesion (86%) was significantly higher (p<0.01) in loose system. Indicator values: duration of lying down movements (6.53 sec), lying down movements with collisions (18.7%) and lying outside lying area (28.4%) in tie system were significantly higher (p<0.01) compared to loose system indicating the inadequacy of the housing and lack of comfort. Analysis of indicators associated with cow hygiene (dirty legs and udder) and diseases (dystocia) points to significant gaps in management in both housing systems which represent significant threat to cow welfare quality.

A long-term study of the effects of housing conditions on the welfare of domestic pigs

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 86-86
Author(s):  
M. Mendl ◽  
D.M. Broom ◽  
A.J. Zanella
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Long Term Consequences ◽  
Over Time

In view of the forthcoming UK ban on stall and tether housing for sows, the long-term consequences of housing pregnant pigs in alternative systems were assessed. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of two indoor group-housing systems on measures of the welfare of pregnant pigs, and to compare pigs housed in these systems with pigs housed in stalls. The study followed 63 female pigs from early life until their fourth pregnancy. A longitudinal experimental design was used to obtain information on how the pigs responded to their initial introduction to the three housing systems (during the first pregnancy), and how they adjusted to the systems over time (in the fourth pregnancy).

scholarly journals A survey on Italian compost dairy barns

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2s) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Leso ◽  
Maurizio Uberti ◽  
Wasseem Morshed ◽  
Matteo Barbari
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Housing System ◽  
P Value ◽  
Alternative Housing ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
The Usa ◽  
One Year ◽  
Bedding Materials

Compost-bedded pack barns, generally known as compost dairy barns, are alternative housing systems for dairy cows. In these barns, the whole surface of the resting area is covered with a deep-bedded pack that is frequently stirred in order to incorporate fresh manure into the pack and to enhance the evaporation of water. Experiences with compost bedded pack barns for dairy cows are reported in literature from the USA, Israel, the Netherlands and Austria. The main advantages of these housing systems regard animal welfare and manure management. Since 2006, this housing system has been applied consistently in Italy. However, scientific knowledge about Italian compost barns is still lacking. This study aims at describing housing system, assessing producers’ satisfaction and measuring performance of dairy cows housed in compost bedded pack barns. Ten commercial dairy farms in northern Italy was involved in the study. All pens in each farm were surveyed to determine the surface of total available area, bedded area and pack depth. In order to investigate management practices, labor requirement, consumption of bedding materials and producers satisfaction, a questionnaire was submitted to each farm manager. The temperature of the bedded pack was measured in each farm during summer and winter. Moreover, data from Italian Breeder Association were collected for each herd over a period of one year (from September 2011 to September 2012). For the ten compost barns involved in the study the average total available area was 10.9 m2 per cow and the average pack area was 6.7 m2 per cow. The bedded pack was aerated 1.4 times per day. The most commonly used bedding material in these farms was dry sawdust. The consumption of bedding materials was 8.1 m3 per cow per year. A clear tendency to inverse correlation was found between the space per cow and the amount of bedding needed per cow (R2= 0.395; p-value=0.051). Operations related to pack management require 4.1 hours of labor per cow per year. Direct relationship was found between the bedded area space per cow and the annual labor required for pack management per cow (R2=0.505; p-value=0.048). Performance of cows housed in compost barns included in this study was encouraging and although some concerns about the cost of bedding, overall producers were satisfied with this housing system.

scholarly journals Comparing the Effect of Oral Supplementation of Vitamin E, Injective Vitamin E and Selenium or Both during Late Pregnancy on Production and Reproductive Performance and Immune Function of Dairy Cows and Calves

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farokh Kafilzadeh ◽  
Habibollah Kheirmanesh ◽  
Hamed Karami Shabankareh ◽  
Mohhamad Reza Targhibi ◽  
Elaheh Maleki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Oral Supplementation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Reproduction Performance ◽  
Holstein Dairy Cows

The object of this study was to determine the effect of prepartum supplementation of vitamin E with or without injective vitamin E and selenium (Se) on productive and reproductive performances and immune function in dairy cows. Sixty multiparous Holstein dairy cows were divided randomly into three groups at the end of gestation. Cows in each group received one of three treatments: (1) a single intramuscular (im) injection of vit. E + selenium 3 weeks prepartum; (2) daily supplementation of oral vit. E given from 3 weeks prepartum to parturition; (3) injective vit. E + Se with daily supplementation of oral vit. E. Blood samples were collected from cows at calving and from calves at 0 and 7 days of age. Concentration of IgG in serum of cows and calves as well as in colostrum was determined. No significant differences among treatments occurred in the concentrations of IgG, animal, and calf production and reproduction performance. Due to the lack of significant difference between injection and oral supplementation, it is recommended to replace the injection with oral supplementation.

scholarly journals Evaluation of reproductive and animal welfare parameters of swine females of different genetic lines submitted to different reproductive management and housing systems during pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 1675-1682
Author(s):  
D. Bampi ◽  
K.K. Borstnez ◽  
C.P. Dias ◽  
O.A.D. Costa ◽  
F. Moreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Welfare Indicators ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Reproductive Management ◽  
Farrowing Rate

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate swine females of different genetic lines submitted to different reproductive management and housing systems during pregnancy on reproductive performance and animal welfare parameters. After artificial insemination protocol, 524 females were divided into two gestation housing systems: PEN1=animals housed in individual stalls during the breeding and after group-housed; PEN32=animals housed in individual stalls from breeding until 32 days of pregnancy and after group-housed. The number of piglets born, and the pregnancy and farrowing rates were evaluated. Welfare parameters related to the pregnancy phase were used. Females who weaned more piglets in the previous farrowing had a higher number of piglets born at the next farrowing. The pregnancy rate was affected by the number of semen doses. The farrowing rate was not influenced by the evaluated parameters, with average value of 91.36%. There was no effect of the gestation housing system and the genetic lines on pregnancy and farrowing rates, with values above 90.0%. The animal welfare indicators showed more compromised parameters in PEN1 system. PEN1 system did not impair the reproductive performance although it presented more compromised animal welfare parameters.

scholarly journals Free-Stall Use and Preferences in Dairy Cows: A Case Study on Neck Rails Covered by Foam

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 772
Author(s):  
Marek Gaworski
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Significant Difference

This study tested the effect of neck rails equipped with and without foam on stall usage and preference by dairy cows. The hypothesis of the experiment, that cows prefer lying stalls with foam in comparison to stalls without foam, was rejected. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in lying time and time spent standing with two and four hooves in the lying stalls between the two treatment groups. Considering the time of individual stall occupation and the distribution of stalls in the pen, cows showed a preference for one of two lying stall rows. Analysis of variance showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) between the time of stall occupation for the two different rows in the pen, including the time spent lying and the time spent standing with two and four hooves in the stall. Lying time per stall in the preferred row (near the feeding alley) in comparison with the alternative row was 580 ± 101 min·d−1·stall−1 versus 50 ± 28 min·d−1·stall−1, respectively. These results can support a design process for new barns with a free-stall housing system for dairy cattle.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document