Het welzijn van melkgeiten: Naar een welzijnsmonitor met meer diergebonden welzijnsindicatoren

Research output: Book/ReportReportProfessional

Abstract

In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, and the dairy goat sector, this project selected animal-based indicators as the foundation for further development of the DGZK animal welfare monitor. The current monitor focuses on housing and management measures, while a monitor with more animal-based indicators provides dairy goat farmers with concrete tools to implement targeted improvements. The selection of indicators was based on a literature review assessing validity, reliability, and feasibility. The protocol was tested and refined on five dairy goat farms using various observation methods, focusing on practical applicability, welfare impact, and the reliability of the scores. This research resulted in ten priority indicators, with wounds, abnormal leg posture, nasal discharge, and coat condition identified as the most promising animal-based welfare indicators for integration into the existing monitor. Inflammation, diarrhea, and swollen legs had too low a prevalence to be reliably assessed, while alternative observation methods are recommended for lameness and itching. Innovative technologies, such as image recognition, are recommended to further optimize monitoring and increase efficiency.
Original languageDutch
Place of PublicationWageningen
PublisherWageningen Livestock Research
Number of pages97
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

Publication series

NameRapport / Wageningen Livestock Research
No.1536

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