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- Title
THE WELFARE ASSESSMENT OF TIED DAIRY COWS IN 52 SMALL FARMS IN NORTH-EASTERN TRANSYLVANIA USING ANIMAL-BASED MEASUREMENTS.
- Authors
Popescu, Silvana; Borda, Cristin; Sandru, Carmen Dana; Stefan, Razvan; Lazar, Eva
- Abstract
The aim of this work was to assess the dairy cows' welfare in small farms in the region of North-Eastern Transylvania (Romania) based on several animal associated parameters: body condition score (BCS), body hygiene (cleanliness), lameness, skin injuries, fur condition and flight distance, respectively. Four hundred and seventy three dairy cows housed in tie-stalls in 52 small farms were assessed (5-20 cows/farm). The indicator parameters were determined through specific methods. Among the 473 evaluated cows 267 (56.45%) had a BCS between 1.5 - 2 being considered thin cows; 162 (34.25%) had dull hair on their back; 68 (14.38%) showed skin lesions in different body zones; 69 (14.59%) showed fear at the observer's approach; 23 (4.86%) were moderately lame. The percentage for scores of 3 and 4 in body cleanliness was 11% at the level of the lower legs, 14% in the udder region and 19% in the area of the flank and upper legs. The obtained results indicate that more than half of the assessed cows are thin, which has a negative impact on their health and welfare. The main factors that affect the dairy cows' welfare in North-Eastern Transylvania are inappropriate feeding and the tied housing system.
- Publication
Slovenian Veterinary Research / Slovenski Veterinarski Zbornik, 2010, Vol 47, Issue 3, p77
- ISSN
1580-4003
- Publication type
Academic Journal