Precalving behavior in dairy cattle with different calving times

Predicting the calving time in dairy cattle can help in avoiding calving accidents and reducing burdens on animal caretakers. In this study, we analyzed the behavior of pregnant dairy cattle for 7 days prior to calving, to assess the feasibility of predicting the calving time. Eleven Holstein cows were divided into two groups based on their calving times, that is, in the morning (the Morning Parturition Group) or the evening (the Evening Parturition Group). Their behavior was recorded on video. An analysis was conducted of the daily occurrences of each type of behavior and the number of switches of behavior during the day and at night. A statistical analysis was conducted, using a two-way factorial analysis. The behavioral sequence was analyzed using an adjacency matrix. Hierarchical structure charts were created, using Interpretive Structural Modeling. The results suggest that feeding and exploratory behaviors are associated with the calving time period and thus can be useful when predicting that period. The hierarchical structure charts suggest that the Morning Parturition Group had no definite behavioral sequence pattern, unlike the Evening Parturition Group. The detection of an unstable behavioral sequence pattern might predict the calving time period.