RESEARCHES REGARDING RESTING BEHAVIOUR IN LACTATING DAIRY COWS DURING FIRST HUNDRED DAYS AFTER CALVING

Abstract

Choices in stabling and management affect the behavior, health, longevity
and performance of cows. Resting behavior provides additional information
about comfort and health. In the current study were used twenty Romanian
Black and White multiparous cows, housed in a tie stall barn 24 hours per
day. Experiments were carried out during winter and summer seasons, in
February and June 2008. Cows monitored were in their first hundred days of
lactation. In our study cows spent resting during winter season on average
379.9 minutes (6.33 hours), value that represents 26.38 % from the days
interval. During cold season, cows spent resting while standing on average
277.40 minutes, and while lying recumbent, only 97.55 minutes. Time
devoted to rest during summer season per 24 hours was on average 613.75
minutes (10.22 hours), value that represents 42.60% from the days interval.
During summer, position adopted by cows for resting periods was as
follows: 453.65 minutes in standing position and 160 minutes while lying
recumbent. Differences registered between the two seasons for time spent
resting and position adopted during resting periods, were very significantly
statistically (p0.001).