In the Alps, the traditional breeding system for dairy cattle is based on the alternation between a free ranging period on mountain ranges during the summer, and an indoor period in tie-stalls in the cold season. Several welfare issues may arise in tie-stall housing systems. We described the situation in 47 farms in three villages in Western Italy, trying to identify possible relationships among structural and management characteristics, animal health and behaviour traits. A long duration of the grazing periods, associated with frequent manure removal during the housing period, are probably key factors for limiting the occurrence of lameness. Teat trauma are more common in narrower stalls. Getting up behaviour is unnatural in most of the visited farms. Some lacks in the farmers' knowledge of animal behaviour was pointed out. Some structural and management characteristics are strictly related to geographic constraints. However, situation permitting, some expedients may be achieved for improving welfare levels.

Survey on housing, management and welfare of dairy cattle in tie-stalls in western Italian Alps / S. Mattiello, D. Arduino, M. Tosi, C. Carenzi. - In: ACTA AGRICULTURAE SCANDINAVICA SECTION A-ANIMAL SCIENCE. - ISSN 0906-4702. - 55:1(2005 May), pp. 31-39. [10.1080/09064700510009270]

Survey on housing, management and welfare of dairy cattle in tie-stalls in western Italian Alps

S. Mattiello
Primo
;
M. Tosi
Penultimo
;
C. Carenzi
Ultimo
2005

Abstract

In the Alps, the traditional breeding system for dairy cattle is based on the alternation between a free ranging period on mountain ranges during the summer, and an indoor period in tie-stalls in the cold season. Several welfare issues may arise in tie-stall housing systems. We described the situation in 47 farms in three villages in Western Italy, trying to identify possible relationships among structural and management characteristics, animal health and behaviour traits. A long duration of the grazing periods, associated with frequent manure removal during the housing period, are probably key factors for limiting the occurrence of lameness. Teat trauma are more common in narrower stalls. Getting up behaviour is unnatural in most of the visited farms. Some lacks in the farmers' knowledge of animal behaviour was pointed out. Some structural and management characteristics are strictly related to geographic constraints. However, situation permitting, some expedients may be achieved for improving welfare levels.
animal behaviour ; animal breeding ; animal housing ; animal welfare ; dairy cattle ; farm management ; grazing ; mammary glands ; seasonal variation ; stalls; summer ; surveys ; teats ; tethering ; trauma
Settore AGR/19 - Zootecnica Speciale
mag-2005
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/35039
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