The normal time budgets of dairy cows are influenced by oestrus, with cows spending less time resting and eating but more time walking. Previous studies have shown that cows spend approximately 21% less time feeding where the day of oestrus is assumed to be the day of successful artificial insemination. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the number of steps, lying time, lying bouts, dry matter intake (DMI), feeding duration and the number of visits to feed were affected by behavioural and silent oestrus in lactating dairy cows. Thirty Holstein Friesian cows were housed in a free-stall barn with 34 cubicles and were continuously monitored by four video cameras. Milk samples were collected on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon and analysed for progesterone concentration by enzyme immunoassay. Steps, lying time and lying bouts were measured using IceQubes (IceRobotics Ltd., Edinburgh, UK) from three days before (3DB) to three days after (3DA) oestrus. Daily feed intakes and feeding duration were recorded by a Roughage Intake Control (RIC) system (Insentec B. V., Marknesse, Netherlands) over the same period. Of the 40 behavioural oestrus events, standing behaviour was observed in 50% of events. On the day of behavioural oestrus the number of steps were increased significantly (P < 0.001) compared to 3DB and 3DA oestrus, whilst the percentage of lying time, lying bouts, DMI, feeding duration and the number of visits to feed were reduced (P < 0.001) compared to 3DB and 3DA oestrus. On the predicted day of silent oestrus, the duration of feeding was reduced (P < 0.03) only when compared to one day before and one day after oestrus. In conclusion, although the number of steps were increased, lying time, lying bouts, DM intake and feeding duration were reduced by behavioural oestrus, and only feeding duration was significantly lowered during silent oestrus. Technologies that facilitate the on-farm measurement of feeding duration could potentially be used to help farmers detect silent oestrus in their cattle.
Large percentages of dairy cows do not express behavioural signs of oestrus. Faecal and urine fatty acid concentrations increase during oestrus. The objective of the present study was to determine the milk FA profile of dairy cows during the oestrous and dioestrous periods and the relationship with behavioural signs on the day of oestrus. The activity of 32 Holstein Friesian cows was measured continuously using GEA Rescounter ll pedometers (GEA Farm Technologies, Düsseldorf, Germany) and IceQubes (IceRobotics Ltd., Edinburgh, UK). Milk samples were collected on the day of oestrus and on day 14 of the subsequent oestrous cycle and analysed for FA concentration using gas chromatography (GC) and milk composition was also determined. All cows were artificially inseminated within 12 h of the onset of oestrus. On the day of oestrus, the concentration of acetic acid (P<0.001), valeric acid (P=0.016), caproic acid (P<0.001) and myristoleic (P = 0.035) were greater in milk compared to day 14. On day 14 milk arachidonic acid concentration, however, was greater (P = 0.004) compared to the day of oestrus. Also, on day 14 arachidonic acid concentration was greater (P = 0.002) in nonpregnant compared to pregnant cows. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate there are changes in the concentrations of some milk FA during oestrus and dioestrus in lactating dairy cows.
Here in Kurdistan Region of Iraq, particularly in Duhok zoo, animal welfare is mostly neglected. Animals are not treated normally. As far as the author is aware, there is no study undertaken to understand the students or public attitudes toward animals in Duhok zoo. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of the students of the University of Zakho, Faculty of Sciences, Departments of Environmental Sciences, and Biology about animal welfare concerns of Duhok Zoo. The study was undertaken at University of Zakho, Faculty of Sciences. Two hundred questionnaires were divided into the students of both Environmental Sciences and Biology Departments. The questionnaire comprised of 15 questions with 3 sections, which were: first, students identification including name, age, and sex. Second, information on animal welfare, and the last one was recording their opinions on the questionnaire. With each question, students had chosen one of the following opinions: Completely Disagree, Somewhat Disagree, Neither Disagree nor Agree, Somewhat Agree, and Completely Agree. All participants agreed to answer the questionnaire voluntarily. Results revealed that most of the students were of opinion that Duhok zoo should be improved; in addition, most of them were entirely or somewhat disagreed that Duhok zoo is acceptable in general. They had an agreement with the idea that there should be educational programs inside the zoo, and in addition, the zoo does not cover environmental needs for the most, if not all, captive animals. Students were also agreed that there should be conservation programs to conserve captive animals, especially endangered and rare species. However, almost all of the students did not want the zoo to be closed entirely. According to the findings of the students' attitudes obtained, it can be concluded that the zoological park of Duhok city has many shortages regarding the welfare of animals in dealing with their captive animals.
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