Interplay between productive traits, the social rank and the cow's stability in the order of entrance to the milking parlour
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Interplay between productive traits, the social rank and the cow's stability in the order of entrance to the milking parlour. / Vargas-Bello-Pérez, E.; Bastiás-Ruz, J.; Toro-Mujica, P.; Teixeira, D. L.; Enriquez-Hidalgo, D.
I: Journal of Agricultural Science, Bind 158, Nr. 6, 2020, s. 518 - 526.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Interplay between productive traits, the social rank and the cow's stability in the order of entrance to the milking parlour
AU - Vargas-Bello-Pérez, E.
AU - Bastiás-Ruz, J.
AU - Toro-Mujica, P.
AU - Teixeira, D. L.
AU - Enriquez-Hidalgo, D.
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - The aim of this study was to investigate whether social rank (SR) and stability in the order of entrance to the milking parlour are associated with production traits. The study was conducted on a dairy farm where cows (n = 215) were managed in three groups according to lactation stage (group 1: 78 cows, 0-100 days in milk (DIM); group 2: 65 cows, 101-200 DIM and group 3: 72 cows, >200 DIM). SR was calculated from observations made from agonistic behaviour performed at the water troughs and feed bunks of each pen (n = 3). The animals were classified into three levels of dominance based on at least five clear interactions, resulting in: 61 dominant, 75 intermediate and 69 subordinate cows based on SR. Stability in the order of entry was estimated as the standard deviation of the entry position. SR was weakly correlated with milk yield, urea and protein content in milk. The results showed that stable cows had higher milk production and entered the milking parlour after the non-stable animals. Stability in the order of entry to the milking parlour was not affected by SR. Overall, the use of milking facilities appears to be associated with production traits rather than SR.
AB - The aim of this study was to investigate whether social rank (SR) and stability in the order of entrance to the milking parlour are associated with production traits. The study was conducted on a dairy farm where cows (n = 215) were managed in three groups according to lactation stage (group 1: 78 cows, 0-100 days in milk (DIM); group 2: 65 cows, 101-200 DIM and group 3: 72 cows, >200 DIM). SR was calculated from observations made from agonistic behaviour performed at the water troughs and feed bunks of each pen (n = 3). The animals were classified into three levels of dominance based on at least five clear interactions, resulting in: 61 dominant, 75 intermediate and 69 subordinate cows based on SR. Stability in the order of entry was estimated as the standard deviation of the entry position. SR was weakly correlated with milk yield, urea and protein content in milk. The results showed that stable cows had higher milk production and entered the milking parlour after the non-stable animals. Stability in the order of entry to the milking parlour was not affected by SR. Overall, the use of milking facilities appears to be associated with production traits rather than SR.
KW - Animal welfare
KW - dairy
KW - milking order
KW - social hierarchy
U2 - 10.1017/S002185962000088X
DO - 10.1017/S002185962000088X
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85095841342
VL - 158
SP - 518
EP - 526
JO - Journal of Agricultural Science
JF - Journal of Agricultural Science
SN - 0021-8596
IS - 6
ER -
ID: 251586359