Dairy Cattle Behavior

Cows Interacting with Their Workplace

Abstract

For economic and humane reasons, dairy producers are looking for facilities and management practices that contribute to cow health and productivity. The mis-matching of housing features or husbandry with a cow's needs contributes to abnormal, unwanted, or injurious behavior. Behavior is one of the several measures of cow welfare. Others are body condition, health, shelter, feed and water, weight gain or milk production, feelings and freedoms.