Mullan Siobhan, Bunglavan Surej J, Rowe Elizabeth, Barrett David C, Lee Michael R F, Ananth Deepa, Tarlton John
School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol Langford, Somerset BS40 5DU, UK.
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad District, Kerala 673576, India.
Animals (Basel). 2020 Mar 31;10(4):586. doi: 10.3390/ani10040586.
India has the largest population of dairy cattle in the world at over 48 million animals, yet there has been little formal assessment of their welfare reported. Through observations of dairy cows on 38 farms in Kerala, India, we aimed to investigate the welfare of these animals and the practicality of animal-based assessments within common farming systems. Substantial welfare challenges were identified. All cows were close-tied (less than 1 m length) via a halter that pierced the nasal septum when housed, which was for the entire day (50% of farms) or part thereof. When outside access was available, it was also usually restricted by close-tying, longline tether, or hobbling. Ad libitum water was only available on 22% of farms and food access was also restricted (mean of 4.3 h/day). Future work should focus on encouraging dairy farmers in India to improve the welfare of their dairy cattle by: ceasing to tie and tether cattle (or at least providing tied and tethered cattle with exercise opportunities); providing unlimited access to drinking water and a readier supply of food (especially quality green forage/fodder); cleaning housing more frequently; providing strategies to prevent heat stress; breeding cattle suited to environmental conditions and with increased resistance to heat stress; and carrying out welfare assessments more regularly using a validated protocol and rectifying the causes of poor welfare. Such changes could substantially improve the welfare of tens of millions of cattle.
印度拥有世界上数量最多的奶牛，超过4800万头，但几乎没有关于其福利状况的正式评估报告。通过对印度喀拉拉邦38个农场的奶牛进行观察，我们旨在调查这些动物的福利状况以及在常见养殖系统中基于动物的评估的实用性。研究发现了大量的福利问题。所有奶牛在圈养时都通过鼻环紧密拴系（长度小于1米），拴系时间为一整天（50%的农场）或部分时间。当有户外活动空间时，通常也会通过紧密拴系、长绳拴系或系住腿部来限制。只有22%的农场提供自由饮水，食物供应也受到限制（平均每天4.3小时）。未来的工作应集中于鼓励印度奶农通过以下方式改善奶牛福利：停止拴系和束缚奶牛（或至少为拴系和束缚的奶牛提供运动机会）；提供不受限制的饮用水和更充足的食物供应（特别是优质的青绿饲料）；更频繁地清洁牛舍；提供预防热应激的策略；培育适合环境条件且耐热应激能力更强的奶牛品种；以及使用经过验证的方案更定期地进行福利评估，并纠正导致福利不佳的原因。这些改变可以大幅改善数千万头牛的福利状况。
