Importance of Behavioral Aspects and Its Implications on Physiological Status, Relationships and Production of Dairy Animals

Abstract

Most of the behavioural aspects of milking animals like mother-offspring bond, relationships with the stockperson, impact of shifting during lactation stage has been shown to play a major role indicating the production of animal and welfare issues. Dairy animals are highly socialized animals and are engaged in many complex interactions to communicate for dominance, subordination and bonding within the group to form linear social hierarchical structure in a herd. Feeding behavior is influenced by feed bunk, position of body, age of animals, feeding interval and displacement of feed by high and low rank animals which has significant effect on DMI and milk production. Temperament is one of the important factors of milking behaviour in dairy animals which affects the milk yield of a herd. Sudden or excessive shifting of animals between groups or herds significantly lowers the production rate in a herd by increasing the physiological biomarkers. Good maternal behaviour is the key feature of production system which enhances the suckling instinct, reduce let down time, maintain the lactation yield through lowering the stress and strong maternal-offspring bond. The stockperson’s attitudes always have an effect on the welfare of the animals by improving the handling and positive attitudes. Comfort around resting for welfare of animals can be achieved by monitoring the animal’s behaviour in all aspects of rearing system and management to get the profitable and sustainable livestock production.