Dark pathways : cows’ walking behavior in dim light environments
Swedish dairy cows should have access to dim light at night according to the animal welfare act, but there are no further recommendations stated for dim light management regarding light intensity, light color, or light distribution. This study aimed to examine the effects of five dim light intensi...
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| Formato: | H2 |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés sueco |
| Publicado: |
SLU/Dept. of Animal Nutrition and Management (until 231231)
2022
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| Materias: |
| Sumario: | Swedish dairy cows should have access to dim light at night according to the animal welfare act, but
there are no further recommendations stated for dim light management regarding light intensity,
light color, or light distribution. This study aimed to examine the effects of five dim light intensities,
in red and white light color, and in even and uneven light distribution on cows’ walking behavior in
an obstacle course. The study was performed during four weeks and a change-over design was
applied. Twelve cows were assigned to walk through an obstacle course in 14 light treatments
including two control treatments. Five different light intensities, in red and white light, and in evenly
and unevenly distributed light were tested. Time taken for the cows to pass through, and number of
steps during the obstacle course were recorded. Speed, stepping rate, and step length was calculated.
In addition, behavioral observations of the cows walking through the obstacle course were
performed. Results showed that cows walked slower and took fewer steps per second in red,
unevenly distributed light in medium intensity compared with control light (p<0.05) and red, evenly
distributed light in low intensity (p<0.005). Cows’ walking behavior did not differ in the darkest
light treatment compared to the other light treatments (p>0.1). Light treatment did not affect the
observed behaviors (P>0.3). In conclusion, the results indicate that cows can navigate in dark
environments without supplementary light and in red light environments. Red, unevenly distributed
light in medium intensity interfered with cows’ walking behavior in the obstacle course. Further
research is desirable to investigate dim light effects on cows’ walking behavior in a loose housing
system. |
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