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Cubicle refusal in Norwegian dairy herds
1Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Oslo, Norway. hans.p.kjaestad@veths.no
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
|July 18, 2001
Summary
Cubicle refusal in dairy cows is linked to rearing heifers on slatted floors. This housing practice significantly increases the likelihood of cows avoiding cubicles for lying down, impacting animal welfare.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Dairy Husbandry
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Cubicle housing is common in modern dairy farms, aiming to improve cow comfort and management.
- Cubicle refusal, where cows choose alleys over cubicles, is a behavioral issue impacting welfare and management.
- Understanding factors influencing cubicle refusal is crucial for optimizing housing systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of cubicle refusal in Norwegian dairy farms.
- To identify housing and management factors associated with cubicle refusal behavior.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was distributed to 273 Norwegian dairy farms with cubicle housing systems.
- Data collected included herd size, cubicle provision, bedding practices, and cubicle refusal occurrence.
- Regression analysis was used to determine associations between management factors and cubicle refusal.
Main Results:
- Sixty-six percent of contacted farms participated, with a median herd size of 18 cows.
- The mean occurrence of cubicle refusal was 6%, with significant variation across herds.
- Rearing heifers in slatted floor pens was significantly associated with increased cubicle refusal (p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
- Heifer rearing on slatted floors is a key risk factor for cubicle refusal in adult dairy cows.
- Herd size, litter use, and cubicle-to-animal ratio were not significantly associated with cubicle refusal.
- Management practices, specifically early life housing, play a critical role in shaping lying behavior in cubicles.