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    Regrouping effects on behaviour and welfare of dairy cows
    (Eesti Maaülikool, 2021) Soonberg, Maria; Arney, David (advisor); Kass, Marko (advisor); Kaart, Tanel (advisor); Raussi, Satu (opponent)
    Animal welfare is a concern for many people around the world and it is believed by consumers that higher welfare standards on farms will ensure high quality, healthy and safe food. Precision livestock farming is becoming more popular and feeding management systems have changed accordingly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect such changes in farm management have on cows’ behaviour and welfare. Cows activity (I, III), feeding, aggressive (II, III) and social behaviour were assessed to see how grouping affects cows at different ages, milk yields (high and low yielding cows) and during the transition period. Cows in study I and III had activity monitors attached to their hind legs to measure their activity, in studies II and III feeding and aggressive behaviours were measured with video cameras, and in study III social behaviour was measured visually by recording sample cows’ two closest neighbours. It was concluded that when cows feeding place changes (because of grouping) their activity will increase. For primiparous cows this increase was by a factor of 1.44 and for multiparous cows 0.36. When cows were moved to a dried off group their activity increased at first, but in general it was lower in the dried off area than in the main herd. In study II high and low yielding cows forage feeding time was assessed. High yielding cows received extra concentrate from a concentrate feeder. Low yielding cows did not. No statistical difference was found between those two groups for forage feeding times. Neither the feeding, walking, standing nor drinking times were significantly affected by additional feeding of concentrates. In study III cows were found to be more active after calving compared to before calving. The cows, who were more aggressive in cubicles were also more aggressive in the strawyard (P = 0.033). Heifers received more aggressive acts than cows (P < 0.001). Sample cows distance to their closest nearest neighbour was one meter, and second nearest neighbour was 0.15 m further away in the cubicle housing compared to the strawyard. After calving, when cows were sent to main herd, primiparous cows spent less time feeding (mean time cow was recorded feeding 9.0%) than multiparous cows (mean time cow was recorded feeding 31.7%)(P = 0.042), especially on the first day in the main herd and they were observed in the passageway more often than the multiparous cows. It was concluded that activity, aggression and social bonds are affected by grouping. Knowing this, farmers can plan their farm management system so that cows can be grouped and regrouped less often. This would help cows to have stronger social relationships, experience fewer aggressive encounters and in general have a more stress free life.