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When and where do dairy cows defecate and urinate?
M Villettaz Robichaud1, A M de Passillé, D Pellerin
1Département des sciences animales, 2524 Rue de l'Agriculture, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada. marianne.villettaz@gmail.com
Journal of Dairy Science
|September 28, 2011
Summary
Dairy cows eliminate urine and feces most frequently in feed alleys and stalls. Individual cow elimination frequencies varied significantly but were not linked to factors like parity or milk production.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Dairy Science
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Urine and feces accumulation poses environmental and cow health challenges.
- Understanding cow elimination behaviors is crucial for herd management.
- Limited research exists on factors influencing dairy cow defecation and urination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and location of defecation and urination in lactating Holstein cows.
- To correlate elimination behaviors with cow activity and feeding patterns.
- To identify factors influencing individual cow elimination frequencies.
Main Methods:
- Observed defecation and urination in 48 lactating Holstein cows over 48 hours in freestalls.
- Monitored defecation and urination in 29 lactating Holstein cows over 5 days in another freestall barn.
- Recorded cow activity and feeding behavior concurrently with elimination events.
Main Results:
- Cows predominantly defecated and urinated in the feed alley and while occupying a stall.
- Significant variation in daily defecation (3-36) and urination (2-19) frequencies was observed among cows.
- Elimination frequencies were not correlated with parity, body weight, days in milk, or dry matter intake.
Conclusions:
- Dairy cows exhibit distinct location preferences for elimination behaviors.
- Individual differences in elimination frequency are substantial and not explained by common production or physiological parameters.
- Further research is needed to understand the drivers of variable elimination patterns in dairy cows.
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