Jiang Mingming, Alugongo Gibson Maswayi, Xiao Jianxin, Li Congcong, Ma Yulin, Li Tingting, Cao Zhijun, Liu Dasen
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
College of Animal Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
Anim Biosci. 2021 Apr;34(4):759-769. doi: 10.5713/ajas.20.0126. Epub 2020 Jun 3.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of stocking density on the behavior, productivity, and metabolism of periparturient Holstein cows as well as calf performance.
A total of 48 periparturient cows were randomly assigned into three groups at 28 days (±3 days) before their expected calving date. The stocking densities of the groups, relative to the standard cubicle and feed bunk number, were i) 80% (13 cows), ii) 100% (16 cows), and iii) 120% (19 cows). Lying and rumination behavior was recorded using electronic data loggers and HR-Tags from d -21 ("d-" means days before calving) until the calving date, d 0. Lying time was assessed to determine the diurnal total hours spent lying per day. Rumination time was averaged in 2 hours interval periods over 24 hours during the experimental period.
Cows in the 80% group spent more time lying and ruminating between d -21 and d -7 and tended to ruminate more between d -14 and d 0. Calcium levels tended to be higher for cows in the 80% group, no other observable differences were found in monitored blood parameters. Moreover, 3.5% fat corrected milk and energy corrected milk yields were higher in 80% group in the first month of lactation. No other observable differences were found in the yield and composition of colostrum and milk in the first 10 months of lactation. The growth and performance of calves in the first week of life was not affected by stocking density of the dams.
We concluded that lower stocking density may increase lying and ruminating behavior of prepartum Holstein cows. However, this did not translate into improved productivity and metabolism.
本研究旨在调查饲养密度对围产期荷斯坦奶牛的行为、生产性能、代谢以及犊牛性能的影响。
在预计产犊日期前28天（±3天），将总共48头围产期奶牛随机分为三组。相对于标准牛栏和采食槽数量，各组的饲养密度分别为：i）80%（13头奶牛），ii）100%（16头奶牛），iii）120%（19头奶牛）。使用电子数据记录器和心率标签，记录从产前21天（“d-”表示产犊前的天数）到产犊日期（第0天）的躺卧和反刍行为。评估躺卧时间以确定每天躺卧的昼夜总时长。在实验期间，将反刍时间按2小时间隔进行平均计算，得出24小时内的平均值。
80%组的奶牛在产前21天至产前7天之间躺卧和反刍的时间更多，并且在产前14天至第0天之间反刍时间也更多。80%组奶牛的钙水平有升高趋势，在监测的血液参数中未发现其他明显差异。此外，80%组在泌乳的第一个月，3.5%脂肪校正乳和能量校正乳产量更高。在泌乳的前10个月，初乳和牛奶的产量及成分未发现其他明显差异。犊牛出生后第一周的生长和性能不受母体饲养密度的影响。
我们得出结论，较低的饲养密度可能会增加产前荷斯坦奶牛的躺卧和反刍行为。然而，这并未转化为更高的生产性能和代谢水平。
