HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Free Via Open Access Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Walker, S. L. Articles by Dobson, H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Walker, S. L. Articles by Dobson, H.

Lameness, Activity Time-Budgets, and Estrus Expression in Dairy Cattle

Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, United Kingdom

² Corresponding author: hdobson{at}liv.ac.uk

The aim of the present study was to identify specific behavioral patterns that contribute to diminished estrus expression in lame cows. Behavioral scan and focal sampling were used to examine the effect of lameness on daily activity budgets, sexual behavior, feeding activities, and body condition score. A total of 59 milking cows (51.8 ± 1.4 d postpartum) were monitored on a commercial dairy farm for 5 d following estrus synchronization. Overall, lame cows (n = 39) spent proportionately less time elevated on their feet and more time lying down compared with nonlame cows (n = 20). This included lame cows spending less time walking or standing. Overall, the total proportion of scans in which an estrous behavior was observed was very small but tended to be smaller for lame compared with nonlame cows. Throughout a day, lame cows displayed a lower proportion of estrous behaviors in the early morning. Lameness did not affect durations of drinking, grazing, or ruminating, or how these behavioral states fluctuated throughout the day. Similarly, rumination chewing rates were the same for lame and nonlame cows, and there was no association between lameness and dominance/displacement while feeding at a feed-fence. Lame cows did, however, have a slower bite rate at pasture and had a lower body condition score. Lame cows were also nearer the rear of the herd, both as they left the field and when entering the milking parlor. In conclusion, lame cows have longer lying times and spend less time standing, walking, and expressing an estrous behavior. Lame cows also have a lower bite rate at pasture and are more likely to be of lower body condition score.

Key Words: bite rate • rumination chewing rate • social order • lameness

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. Chapinal, A. M. de Passille, D. M. Weary, M. A. G. von Keyserlingk, and J. Rushen Using gait score, walking speed, and lying behavior to detect hoof lesions in dairy cows J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2009; 92(9): 4365 - 4374. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Ito, D. M. Weary, and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk Lying behavior: Assessing within- and between-herd variation in free-stall-housed dairy cows J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2009; 92(9): 4412 - 4420. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]