Effects of stocking density on behavior, productivity, and comfort indices of lactating dairy cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different stocking densities of 82 (0.82 cows per freestall and feed bin), 100, and 129% on behavior, productivity, and comfort indices of lactating Holstein dairy cows. Twenty-seven lactating cows (15 primiparous and 12 multiparous) were assigned to 1 of the 3 treatments, which were balanced for parity, milk yield, days in milk, and body weight in a 3×3 Latin square design with 14-d periods. After 7 d of adaptation to the treatments, lying time and bouts were recorded at 1-min intervals for 3 d, DMI and feeding time were monitored electronically by feed bins, and rumination time was quantified at 2-h periods for 5 d during each period. The cow comfort index, stall standing index, stall perching index, and stall use index (SUI) were calculated using 10-min scan samples of video recording from d 8 to 10 of each period. Milk yield was recorded from d 8 to 12 and milk composition was determined from composite samples on d 12 in each period. Daily lying time, lying bouts, and bout duration did not differ among the stocking densities. The ratio of lying time ≥12 h/d (the number of cows with daily lying time ≥12 h/d divided by number of cows per pen) was higher for cows housed at 82% stocking density compared with those housed at 100% stocking density, with stocking density of 129% intermediate. Hourly lying time was lower at 100% stocking density compared with 82 and 129% stocking densities during the peak period (2300-0400 h), determined based on diurnal pattern of lying time. Daily dry matter intake, feeding time, and feeding rate were not affected by stocking density. After morning milking, dry matter intake and feeding time was reduced at 129 versus 82% stocking density during peak feeding time (0600-0800 h), determined based on diurnal patterns of feeding behavior. Stocking density had no effect on rumination time, milk yield and milk composition. The ratio of SUI ≥85% (mean of the number of SUI ≥85% divided by the number of SUI at 10-min scan samples during a 24-h period) was lower at 129 versus 82% stocking density, with stocking density of 100% intermediate. During peak lying time after evening milking (2300-0400 h), both cow comfort index and SUI were higher at 129 than at 100% stocking density. The SUI was lower 2h after morning milking (0800-0900 h) for cows housed at 129% compared with those housed at 82 and 100% stocking densities. In conclusion, when compared with 100% stocking density, understocking contributed to natural behaviors of cows that including lying, feeding, and rumination behavior, whereas overstocking did not cause negative effect on behavior, productivity, and comfort indices of cows in this study.

Effects of stocking density on oxidative stress status and mammary gland permeability in early lactating dairy cows

“…We expected that SD lower than 100% should be provided to early lactating cows for lowering their oxidative stress, although 100% SD had higher efficiency in space utilization. Through determining oxidative stress index in the plasma and milk, our study suggested that in addition to reducing rumination (Wang et al, 2016), inhibiting lying behaviour (Krawczel et al, 2012) and disturbing comfortability (Krawczel et al, 2008) of the dairy cows, higher SD triggered oxidative stress of early lactating dairy cows.…”

“…It is known that overstocking of dairy cows necessarily impact natural resting behavior of dairy cows (Špinka, ). The troubles caused by high SD included reduced rumination (Wang et al., ), insufficient lying time (Krawczel et al., ), and lower comfortability (Krawczel, Hill, Dann, & Grant, ) in mid‐lactating dairy cows. Recent studies suggested that overstocking also have negative impact on calves or transition cows, which were in critical physiology stages.…”

Production Parameters of PHF Cows Depending on Varying Housing Conditions During Lactation

“…This could be associated with the presence of subclinical or clinical mastitis, which increases the electrical conductivity of milk. Wang et al (2016) observed that the milk somatic count of the cows increased by 12.26% when stocking density was increased to 124%. Milking duration during that period was higher than during the comparison period despite the lower milk yield.…”

“…A considerable decrease (8.92 kg) in daily milk production was observed in the second experimental period when twice as many cows were introduced compared to the first period (P ≤ 0.01). Wang et al (2016) observed that when stocking density increased from 100 to 129%, milk yield increased from 31.91 to 33.11 kg. De Vries et al (2016) reported that for a density of 150%, daily milk yield per cow decreased from 28.48 to 26.38 kg.…”

Effects of Diets with Different Ratios of Neutral Detergent Fiber to Non-Fibrous Carbohydrates on Feeding Behavior in Transition Holstein Cows

“…The increased NDF:NFC ratio was correlated with decreased (P < 0.05) DMI between 00:00-06:00 prepartum and increased (P = 0.09) DMI between 18:01-24:00. Other studies have also found that dairy cows had lower DMI between 00:00-06:00 (Wang et al, 2016), finishing steers spent more time on eating during day time than the night time (Yazdani and Hajilari, 2009).…”