Selection of Parameters for On-Farm Welfare-Assessment Protocols in Cattle and Buffalo

Winckler, Christoph; Capdeville, J.; Gebresenbet, Girma; Hörning, Bernhard; Roiha, Ulla; Tosi, M. V.; Waiblinger, Susanne

doi:10.1017/s0962728600026270

Cited by 76 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…To ensure clean and healthy hocks in dairy cows, regular and careful care of the stall is essential, as otherwise the skin on the hocks can become softened. Soiling of the skin with faeces also induces irritation of the tissue and favours the development of skin inflammation due to massive bacterial contamination [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cows from conventional farms had twice the chance of SHL, even though the multifactorial models already adjusted for cubicle design and grazing time. Thus, it can be assumed that in organic animal husbandry, due to the high animal welfare standards [ 31 ], other unobserved factors contribute to the avoidance of hock lesions. According to EU legislation on organic farming, various objectives must be taken into account and requirements met [ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hock Lesions in Dairy Cows in Cubicle Housing Systems in Germany: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Freigang,

Jensen,

Campe

et al. 2023

Animals

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Hock lesions in dairy cows are an important indicator of animal welfare, in particular housing conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hock lesions in dairy cows kept in cubicle housing systems in three structurally different regions of Germany and to derive recommendations from risk factor analyses. Lactating and dry cows kept in cubicle housing systems were assessed for hock lesions (north: 206 farms with 20,792 cows; south: 156 farms with 8050 cows; east: 192 farms with 37,839 cows). Risk factor analyses were conducted using multi-factorial logistic regression models. The median prevalence of hock lesions (hairless patches, wounds, and/or swelling) at farm level was 79.8% (SD: 25.0; north), 66.2% (SD: 31.0; south), and 78.5% (SD: 26.3; east). The mean prevalence of severe hock lesions (wounds and/or swelling) at farm level was 12.5% (SD: 11.3; north), 8.0% (SD: 13.5; south), and 14.4% (SD: 17.9; east). Cows kept in pens with rubber mats or mattresses (with or without a small amount of litter) had a particularly higher chance of hock lesions compared with cows kept in pens with deep-bedded cubicles (OR: north: 3.1 [2.3–4.2]; south: 8.7 [5.9–13.0], east: 2.0 [1.7–2.4]). The study showed that hock lesions are a widespread problem on German dairy farms with cubicle housing systems. Deep-bedded cubicles are likely to reduce hock lesions and increase cows’ comfort.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hock Lesions in Dairy Cows in Cubicle Housing Systems in Germany: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Freigang,

Jensen,

Campe

et al. 2023

Animals

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“…Animal cleanliness reveals information about their comfort, pleasure, and standard of care by stockpersons ( Winckler et al, 2003 ; Napolitano et al, 2013 ). Dirty skin can minimize antigerm and thermoregulatory features of the skin, as well as causing epidermal inflammatory disorders ( Winckler et al, 2003 ; Napolitano et al, 2013 ). A buffalo cleanliness score has been developed but its repeatability was relatively low compared to cattle ( de Rosa et al, 2009b ).…”

Section: Buffalo Welfarementioning

confidence: 99%

The behavior and welfare of neglected species: some examples from fish and mammals

Bukhari,

Parkes,

Sneddon

et al. 2024

PeerJ

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Animal welfare is the state of an animal’s body and mind and the level to which its requirements are satisfied. Animal welfare is affected by human decisions and actions. Numerous decisions concerning animals are driven by human desires to enhance their own lives, and some of these decisions may be influenced by self-interest or a strong emphasis on economic factors. How to assess the welfare state of animals is a central issue in animal welfare science. Two critical questions can be used to address animal welfare: first, is the animal healthy, and second, does the animal have what it needs? Both of these questions can potentially be answered using the study of animal behavior. The development of behavioral methodologies is crucial for evaluating welfare in contexts where concern for animal welfare is often highest, such as on intensive modern farms and sites where working animals are used. Herein, we discuss animal welfare by focusing on some of its major concepts and explanations. Later, to illustrate key aspects of animal welfare, we chose to examine the information that is available for some ‘neglected’ livestock species, which are commercially important on a global basis and found in large numbers: buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), camels (Camelus dromedarius), donkeys (Equus asinus), mules (Equus asinus × Equus caballus), and lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus). We chose these species because there are major ongoing concerns about their welfare, and more research is required to help solve the various problems. Overall, there are strong imbalances in terms of the species that are usually studied in terms of animal welfare research, and we call for greater attention to those that have traditionally been neglected.

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“…This level of dirtiness reflects the poor rearing conditions that constitute a degraded animal environment and depend on a low frequency of bedding replacement (Norring et al, 2008), hygiene of lying area (Bowell et al, 2003;Hulsen, 2007;Leach, Knierim, & Whay, 2009, Ruud, Boe, & Osteras, 2010, Andreasen & Folkman, 2012 and dirty skin and hair can cause itching, decrease thermoregulatory and antimicrobial defense properties and may cause dermatitis (Winckler et al, 2003).…”

Section: Cleanlinessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of dairy cows comfort in Algerian farms by the Welfare Quality® Protocol

Benatallah,

Boudjellaba,

Zenad

et al. 2023

Acta Sci. Anim. Sci.

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The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and degree of discomfort in dairy cows and the risk factors associated by taking into account six animal welfare indicators included in the Welfare Quality® Protocol (WQ®): lying time, lying outside lying area, collision and cleanliness assessed on three body areas: udder, hindquarters and hind limbs. These indicators were carried out on 1,200 dairy cows belonging to 100 dairy farms in the province of Algiers, which 53% were kept in permanent tie stalls and 47% in partial tie stalls. Observation results showed a low average overall score of comfort (40.8 ± 10.62). This was mainly related to a long lying time (5.9s ± 0.89) of which 41.0% of the farms surveyed exceeded the alert threshold (>6.3s) and 39.0% the alarm threshold (>5.2s), a very high degree of dirtiness in udder (62.6%±21.9), hind quarters (60.6%±21.5) and hind limbs (60.6±21.4). As a result, the majority of farms exceeded the alert thresholds: 100.0% (udder), 86.0% (hindquarters) and 63.0% (hind limbs). Highly significant correlations were observed between the different aspects of comfort assessed (p < 0.0001). To reconcile dairy cows’ welfare and productivity, it is essential to improve their comfort.

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Selection of Parameters for On-Farm Welfare-Assessment Protocols in Cattle and Buffalo

Cited by 76 publications

References 9 publications

Hock Lesions in Dairy Cows in Cubicle Housing Systems in Germany: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Hock Lesions in Dairy Cows in Cubicle Housing Systems in Germany: Prevalence and Risk Factors

The behavior and welfare of neglected species: some examples from fish and mammals

Assessment of dairy cows comfort in Algerian farms by the Welfare Quality® Protocol

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