A new approach to lying and standing behavior indices for dairy cows

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Selda Uzal Seyfi

Selcuk University, Turkey

: J Vet Sci Med Diagn

Abstract

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Lying and standing behaviour indices are used to determine the suitability of shelters to animal welfare. In the increasing of animal production, it is very important animal breeding in barns designed for animal welfare. Determining livestock building appropriate for animal welfare is possible with studies requiring intensive time and labour. Lying and Standing Behaviour (LSB) indices were calculated is an important method used to determine the suitability of shelters for animal welfare, especially for freestall housing. Loose Housing System (LH) is another type of shelter planning system which is expressed in accordance with the animal welfare used in dairy cattle breeding. However, it was not seen that LSB indices were defined for LH in the literature. The aim of this study was to express a new approach and to define LSB indices for LH. In this study, firstly in the literature, 6 different behaviours indices were defined same as Cow comfort indices for LH (CCIL), Cow lying indices for LH (CLIL), Lying Index for Paddocks (LIP), Cow stress indices for LH (CSIL), Resting area use indices for LH (RUIL) and Resting area standing indices for LH (RSIL). LIP was defined for freestall and LH while other five indices for only LH. Identifying these indices and conducting studies on this issue will not only determine the suitability of existing livestock buildings for animal welfare but will also shed light on the newly developed shelter projects. Thus, it will be possible to contribute to increase the quantity and quality of animal production.

Biography

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Selda Uzal Seyfi has completed her PhD at the age of 27 years from Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. She has been appointed as an Associate Professor since 2014 at Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. Her research interests include animal behavior, farm structures and dairy farms. She has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals.

E-mail: seldauzalseyfi@gmail.com