Human and farm influences on dairy cows´ responsiveness towards humans - a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT: The human-animal relationship can have a major impact on cow welfare and stockpersons´ work safety and quality. This cross-sectional study investigated possible effects of stockperson and farm related factors on cows´ behaviour towards humans in different test situations on a range of farm types including farms with automatic milking system. On 32 dairy farms, cows´ avoidance distances (AD), tolerance to tactile interactions (TTI), behavioural reactions during and after release from restraint (RB) and expressive behaviour by means of qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA) were recorded. Multiple regressions were calculated to analyse associations between the cows´ responses towards humans and factors of stockpersons´ attitudes, factors of human-animal contact and further herd and managemen

SUBMITTER: Ebinghaus A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6312231 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature