Effect of relocation on locomotion and cleanliness in dairy cows.
This study was conducted to determine the effect that relocation to a new free stall barn had on locomotion and cleanliness of two breeds of dairy cows. The original facility before relocation had cows housed in an 8-row free stall barn. Cows were allocated in a new 4-row free stall facility: cows of two breeds (n=22 Holsteins and 22 Jerseys) were intermixed in the northwest section. Locomotion (scale 1-5) and cleanliness were scored (scale 1-4). Holsteins and Jerseys had no difference in locomotion score throughout 12 weeks following relocation. A lactation number by date interaction showed cows in third and greater lactations had significantly higher locomotion scores (more lameness) by day 86. Locomotion scores increased across breeds during the 86-d observation period, suggesting cows became lamer. Jerseys had cleaner lower legs than Holsteins (2.9+/-0.1 v. 3.5+/-0.1, respectively). Lactation number affected lower leg cleanliness, with scores decreasing as lactation number increased (3.4 v. 3.3 v. 2.9+/-0.10 for first, second and third and greater lactations, respectively; P<0.01). All cows were cleaner (lower scores) after relocation, suggesting that the new facility improved hygiene.
Wilkes
Crafton O
CO
Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061-0315, USA.
Pence
Kristen J
KJ
Hurt
Amanda M
AM
Becvar
Ondrej
O
Knowlton
Katharine F
KF
McGilliard
Michael L
ML
Gwazdauskas
Francis C
FC
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006920:Hygiene; D008124:Locomotion; D014186:Transportation