Effects of Different Bedding Material on Production and Welfare of Dairy Cows During the Autumn Season
Ranjana Sinha *
Department of Livestock Farm Complex, Bihar Veterinary College, BASU, Patna-800014, India.
M. L. Kamboj
Department of Livestock Production Management, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal-132001, India.
Indu Devi
Department of Livestock Production Management, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal-132001, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of bedding material on the production and welfare of crossbred cows in autumn season (September to December). Sixteen crossbred lactating cows, randomly selected and divided into two groups with eight animals in each group on the basis of parity and milk yield. Cows in the control group were housed on conventional concrete flooring in the covered area and brick-paved flooring in the open paddock. In contrast, cows in the treatment group were maintained on sand bedding in both covered and open paddock. The experimental design enabled a comparative assessment of the influence of bedding material on animal production and welfare under similar management conditions. The analysis indicated that dry matter intake and milk yield were significantly (P<0.05) higher in cows maintained on sand bedding than in the control group. The welfare index of cows reared in the treatment group was significantly (P<0.05) better as compared to control group. The cows in the treatment group exhibited significantly (P<0.05) greater resting, rumination and eating times compared to those in the control group. These findings suggest that the provision of sand bedding creates a more comfortable housing environment for dairy cows, which in turn positively influences their behavioural patterns, health status and productive performance.
Keywords: Behaviour, cow comfort, lactating cow, locomotion score, milk production, welfare