Description of measurable parameters related to animal welfare in freestall and tiestall farms in Northwestern Spain
- Trillo, Y. 1
- Quintella, L.A. 1
- Barrio, M. 1
- Becerra, J.J. 1
- Vigo, M. 1
- Peña, A.I. 1
- Herradón, P.G. 1
- 1 Unit of Reproduction and Obstetrics. Department of Animal Pathology. Colleage of Veterinary Medicine of Lugo. University of Santiago de Compostela. Lugo. Spain.
ISSN: 0004-0592, 1885-4494
Year of publication: 2017
Volume: 66
Issue: 254
Pages: 203-213
Type: Article
More publications in: Archivos de zootecnia
Abstract
The aim of this characterization study was to describe several welfare indicators on the farm and find possible difference between the prevalence of hock injuries, body condition (BCS), and hygiene score across 15 free stalls with cubicles (F) and 15 tie stalls (T) dairy cattle farms in northwestern Spain (Galicia). Data were collected once and it included direct measures of the welfare based on the animal (BCS, hock injuries, locomotion score, hygiene score) and, indirect measures based on facilities (stall design, surfaces, feed bunk, ventilation and milking) and management practices (cleanliness, preventive treatment programs, outdoor access). In the following results, higher values are indicative of a poorer status. Herd-level prevalence of overweight cows to the stage of lactation was greater (p