Housing and management factors associated with indicators of dairy cattle welfare

M. de Vries, E.A.M. Bokkers, C.G. van Reenen, B. Engel, G. van Schaik, T. Dijkstra, I.J.M. de Boer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingAbstract

Abstract

Knowing synergies and trade-offs between factors influencing different aspects of dairy cattle welfare is essential for farmers who aim to improve the level of welfare in their herds. The aim of this research was to identify and compare housing and management factors associated with the prevalence of lameness, lesions or swellings, dirty hindquarters, and the frequency of displacements in dairy herds in free-stall housing. Seven trained observers collected data regarding housing and management characteristics of 179 Dutch dairy herds (herd size: 22 to 211 cows) in free-stall housing during winter. Lame cows, cows with lesions or swellings, and cows with dirty hindquarters were counted and occurrence of displacements was recorded during 120 min of observation. For each of the four welfare indicators, housing and management factors associated with the welfare indicator were selected in a succession of logistic or log linear regression analyses. Prevalence of lameness was associated with surface of the lying area, summer pasturing, herd biosecurity status, and dry cow groups (P
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 6th International Conference on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level
EditorsL. Mounier, I. Veissier
Place of PublicationWageningen
PublisherWageningen Academic Publishers
Pages60-60
Number of pages1
ISBN (Electronic)9789086867981
ISBN (Print)9789086862474
Publication statusPublished - 2014
EventWAFL2014 6th International Conference on the Assessment of Animal Welfare - Clermont Ferrand, France
Duration: 3 Sept 20145 Sept 2014

Conference/symposium

Conference/symposiumWAFL2014 6th International Conference on the Assessment of Animal Welfare
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityClermont Ferrand
Period3/09/145/09/14

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