Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances

Year: 2010
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Page No. 88 - 95

The Effects of Seasons on the Time Budget and Area Usage of Animals in Open Loose Dairy Cattle Housing

Authors : Selda Uzal and Nuh Ugurlu

Abstract: The design of appropriate housing for cow comfort is important to increase animal production. This study was carried out to determine annual time budget and shelter area usage of cows between 2006 and 2008 in Konya-Turkey. Behavior of animals (n = 24) and barn area usage of dairy cattle was investigated loose dairy housings. Behavior of cows was observed by recording during 24 h of a day with video cameras mounted at suitable places in barn parts. The animals behaviors related to barn area preference were investigated and seasonal variation of dairy cattle housing area usage observed during to 10 days for each season. Annually average barn area usage of dairy cattle were determined as 5.84 h resting area, 8.92 h courtyard, 7.74 h feeding, 1.5 h watering and milking area in open loose barn. The effect of season on the time budget activity of dairy cattle was important. Under low temperatures and dry ground at autumn, the animal courtyard area usage increased from 2.42-13.62 h by comparison to winter. The lying behavior of animals in winter and summer increased from 32.1-47.1%, respectively. The annually time budget of dairy cattle were found as 42.2% lying, 32.3% feeding, 11.1% standing, 6.3% walking, 4.6% milking and 1.6% drinking and 1.7% others behaviors in the research. The present study showed that well design of courtyard, resting and feeding areas very important for animal health and high and qualified milk production as well as cattle management.

How to cite this article:

Selda Uzal and Nuh Ugurlu, 2010. The Effects of Seasons on the Time Budget and Area Usage of Animals in Open Loose Dairy Cattle Housing. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 9: 88-95.

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