Handling and milking frequency affect milk yield and behavior in dairy ewes

Simitzis, Panagiotis; Seferlis, Ilias; Goliomytis, Michael; Bizelis, Iosif; Politis, I.

doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106351

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 54 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Apart from fat percentage, the milk flow rate and composition were not influenced by regrouping ( Table 1 and Table 3 ). However, the milk flow rate was lower in Chios compared to the Karagouniko breed, a finding that was already demonstrated in a previous study [ 28 ]. The value (%) for milk fat was reduced, while the milk oxidation rates and number of kick responses were increased on the first day after regrouping ( Table 1 and Table 3 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

“…and reduced lying and feeding times in cows [ 9 , 38 ], goats [ 11 ] and sheep [ 12 ]. Moreover, Chios ewes bleated more and had a shorter flight distance compared to the Karagouniko ewes, possibly as a result of differences in their temperament and the extent to which they fear people, as was already pointed out by Simitzis et al [ 28 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…Behavioral reactivity tests were applied to assess differences among the displayed behaviors of the animals, allowing producers to identify favorable management practices [ 35 ]. Locomotory activity (i.e., flight distance) and the vocalizations recorded during these types of tests can be regarded as accurate indicators for the assessment of distress response and behavioral reactivity in sheep [ 28 , 29 ]. The observed sheep behavior can indicate welfare or management problems due to husbandry procedures and can provide clues to the types of situations that might elicit a stress response [ 36 , 37 ] and can lead to an economic impact on sheep production, since highly reactive animals generally display reduced productivity [ 35 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The isolation portion of the test consisted of social isolation in a novel environment (1 min) without any additional fear-inducing stimuli [ 28 , 29 ]. The test pen represented a novel environment in which the tested animal was visually isolated from other members of the group.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Regrouping in Dairy Ewes—Effects on Productive Performance and Specific Behavioral Traits

Papakitsos

Assouad

Papageorgiou

et al. 2023

Animals

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The regrouping of ruminants is a common practice in dairy farms and is targeting at the improvement of milk production efficiency. However, changing the established hierarchy in a group affects both productivity and behavioral attributes. The aim of the present study was therefore to examine the possible effects of regrouping on milk yield, composition and several behavioral indices in dairy ewes. The experimental period was divided into two sub-periods of 20 days each. During the first period, 30 Chios ewes were used, while 15 Chios and 15 Karagouniko ewes were mixed during the second period. Milk yield, composition, oxidative stability, flow rate and number of kick responses during milking were recorded for each ewe. An isolation—flight distance test was also performed on a weekly basis. As indicated, the parameters recorded during the behavioral tests, such as the number of bleats, heart rate and flight distance, and the milk oxidation rate and number of kick responses were significantly increased immediately after regrouping compared to the following days during both sub-periods (p < 0.05). Moreover, milk yield was reduced in the second sub-period by 8.61% (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that regrouping could negatively influence productive and behavioral traits, and the effect was more pronounced when sheep of different breeds were mixed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Regrouping in Dairy Ewes—Effects on Productive Performance and Specific Behavioral Traits

Papakitsos

Assouad

Papageorgiou

et al. 2023

Animals

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Scarce data exist on the effects of human-animal interaction on the productivity and welfare of sheep and goats. Aversive handling (slaps, pushes and loud shouting) leads to a reduction of the milk yield and an increase in kick responses during the milking of dairy ewes, although the milk flow rate was not affected [69]. Goats receiving aversive handling also showed increased salivary cortisol levels [70].…”

Section: Small Ruminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contribution of Precision Livestock Farming Systems to the Improvement of Welfare Status and Productivity of Dairy Animals

Simitzis

Tzanidakis

Tzamaloukas

et al. 2021

Dairy

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although the effects of human–dairy cattle interaction have been extensively examined, data concerning small ruminants are scarce. The present review article aims at highlighting the effects of management practices on the productivity, physiology and behaviour of dairy animals. In general, aversive handling is associated with a milk yield reduction and welfare impairment. Precision livestock farming systems have therefore been applied and have rapidly changed the management process with the introduction of technological and computer innovations that contribute to the minimization of animal disturbances, the promotion of good practices and the maintenance of cattle’s welfare status and milk production and farms’ sustainability and competitiveness at high levels. However, although dairy farmers acknowledge the advantages deriving from the application of precision livestock farming advancements, a reluctance concerning their regular application to small ruminants is observed, due to economic and cultural constraints and poor technological infrastructures. As a result, targeted intervention training programmes are also necessary in order to improve the efficacy and efficiency of handling, especially of small ruminants.

show abstract

Effect of weaning and feed provision times on the performance and several behavioural traits of post-weaning lambs

Goliomytis

Petropoulos²,

Troupakis³

et al. 2022

Trop Anim Health Prod

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Handling and milking frequency affect milk yield and behavior in dairy ewes

Cited by 4 publications

References 54 publications

Regrouping in Dairy Ewes—Effects on Productive Performance and Specific Behavioral Traits

Regrouping in Dairy Ewes—Effects on Productive Performance and Specific Behavioral Traits

Contribution of Precision Livestock Farming Systems to the Improvement of Welfare Status and Productivity of Dairy Animals

Effect of weaning and feed provision times on the performance and several behavioural traits of post-weaning lambs

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About