Assessment of animal welfare in 80 dairy cow herds in cubicle housing # animal health and other animal-related parameters
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| Category | Journal Articles |
|---|---|
| Abstract |
Introduction: With growing concerns about farm animal welfare (e.g. by consumers; WILDNER, 1998), knowledge about the actual situation with regard to animal welfare on farms is important. Valid assessment of animal welfare requires the use of animal-based parameters, while environmental parameters alone are not sufficient (WINCKLER et al., 2003; MULLEDER et al., 2007). Suitable animal-related measurements comprise behavioural, physiological, health and, at least partly, production parameters (TERLOUW et al., 1997; KNIERIM, 1998). The aim of this study was to assess animal welfare in dairy cows in cubicle loose housing in Austria by using animal-related parameters to identify problem areas and need for improvements. Material and methods: 80 dairy herds with herd size of 21 to 55 Simmental cows were visited once on 2 consecutive half days. Animal-related parameters from all parameter groups mentioned above were recorded, i.e. rising up/lying down behaviour, avoidance distance towards humans, social interactions (behaviour), lameness, skin lesions, body condition, somatic cell count in milk (health), adrenocortical activity (physiology), milk yield and cleanliness. Data collection took place in spring 2002 and from October 2002 to March 2003. Associations between animal-related parameters were calculated by means of Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Results: Data revealed substantial variation between farms in most parameters and considerable problems regarding animal health and behaviour: prevalence of lameness was 36% (0-77 |
| Date | 2010 |
| Publication Title | Wiener Tierarztliche Monatsschrift |
| Volume | 97 |
| Issue | 9/10 |
| Pages | 231-241 |
| ISBN/ISSN | 0043-535X |
| Language | German |
| Author Address | Aus dem Institut fur Tierhaltung und Tierschutz (Department fur Nutztiere und offentliches Gesundheitswesen in der Veterinarmedizin) der Veterinarmedizinischen Universitat Wien, Wein, Austria. cornelia.muelleder@gmx.at |
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