Effects of Rubber Mat Flooring on Behaviours, Welfare and Production Performance in Crossbred Cows

Abstract

The present study was conducted on 18 lactating crossbred cows by dividing them into two homogeneous groups randomly. The cows of treatment group were kept in shed having rubber mat flooring whereas the cows of control were kept on concrete floor. The objective was to study the effect of rubber mat flooring on behaviours (sitting time, standing time and rumination time), preference for lying, slipping incidence and milk production and quality. Overall sitting time (minutes) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in cows of rubber mat (581.90) than concrete group (557.60). Overall rumination time (minutes) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in cows kept on rubber mat flooring (522.10) than concrete flooring (435.30). The effect of flooring on standing/lying preference within rubber mat group showed that when choice of flooring material provided to cows overall standing time (minutes) on rubber mat (196.48) was significantly higher than concrete surface (150.05). Similarly, overall sitting time (minutes) in cows of rubber mat was significantly higher (431.76 v/s 150.14). Rumination time was significantly (p<0.01) higher in rubber mat group. Total 73.04 and 64.52% cows preferred to stand or lie on rubber mat, respectively when given free choice to cows. The slipping incidences was lower (31.74%) in cow kept on rubber mat flooring then concrete flooring (74.60%). The average mean milk yield (litre/day) of crossbred cows was 8.31±1.00 and 8.51±0.76 on rubber mat and concrete floor, respectively which was non-significant. The mean somatic cell count in cross bred cows across both groups (165454.38±4743.17 v/s 190201.83±6224.63 no. of cells/ml in rubber mat and concrete, respectively) were statistical significant (p<0.01).