A52-75-2007E.pdf - AgroMedia International Inc

Animal Welfare3Stall dimensions and the prevalence of lameness, injury, andcleanliness on 317 tie-stall dairy farms in OntarioCorresponding AuthorZurbrigg, K.OMAFRA FergusCollaboratorsKelton, D.F.University of GuelphAnderson, N.G.OMAFRA FergusMillman, S.University of GuelphCanadian Veterinary Journal (2005) Vol. 46 p. 902-909.Approximately 80% of Ontario dairy cows are housed in tie-stalls and someare provided periods of exercise outside of the barn. Tie-stall design can,therefore, have a significant impact on animal health, welfare, productivityand longevity. The purpose of this study was to establish benchmarks fortie-stall dimensions as well as indicators of lameness and animal welfare.Characteristics of tie-stalls on 317 Ontario dairy farms were examined, includingstall length, width, tie-chain length and tie rail height. Ninety percentof the farms surveyed had stalls with dimensions that were less thanthose currently recommended. Lameness incidence was assessed usingseveral previously recommended animal-based parameters: 3.2% of cowsexhibited arched backs while standing; 23% had severe hind limb rotation;44% suffered hock lesions. Among other indicators of poor stall design,3.8% had neck lesions, 3% had broken tails, 23% had dirty hind limbs and4.6% had dirty udders. The authors of the study suggest that veterinariansand producers could use this information as benchmarks for comparisonwith individual herds as they strive for improvement in animal welfare.4Effects of mixing on drinking and competitive behavior of dairycalvesCorresponding Authorvon Keyserlingk, M.A.G.University of British ColumbiaCollaboratorsO’Driscoll, K.University of British ColumbiaWeary, D.M.University of British ColumbiaJournal of Dairy Science (2006) Vol. 89 p. 229-233.Group rearing reduces labour costs and provides welfare benefits for dairycalves, including more space and opportunities for social interaction. However,the system can result in competition and other negative responsesthat reduce performance. Group rearing requires that new calves are introducedto the group soon after birth while older calves are removed atweaning. These dynamics can create problems related to social integration,particularly for the younger animals. This study examined calf behaviourand milk consumption when younger calves were mixed into an establishedgroup of older calves. Milk was provided in a computer controlledmilk feeder with a feeding stall which limited aggressive displacements ofcalves while feeding. Group average milk consumption dropped from 9.7kg/day before mixing to 8.6 kg/day on the day of mixing but subsequentlyincreased over the next 3 days to 11.1 kg/day. Visits to the feeder decreasedon the day of mixing when compared with visits during the 2 days beforeor 4 days after mixing. Conversely, the duration of visits and milk consumptionduring those visits increased on the day of mixing. In conclusion, althoughfeeding behaviour was altered on the day when new calves wereintroduced, the effects were transient and milk intake recovered quickly.22 Highlights in Canadian Dairy Cattle Research - 2007