THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURES ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF CZECH FLECKVIEH COWS

Abstract

A group of 98 Czech Fleckvieh cows (one section) was observed over the period of one year with the aim to determine the variation in their milk performance and behaviour at cowshed different cowshed temperatures. Behaviour were recorded once a week (on the same day) at 10:00. Periods of 8 weeks with the highest temperature (hot period – H) and of 8 weeks with the lowest temperature (cold period – L) were then compared. The cows were housed in one section (1/4 of the total capacity) of the free-cubicle shed and where the cubicles were distributed into three rows. Row A (32 cubicles) was close to the feeding plateau, row B (33 cubicles) was in the centre and row C (38 cubicles) was peripheral, close to the side wall. The cowshed temperature was monitored on a daily basis and the mean temperature was 23.2 °C in the hot period and -1.7°C in the cold period, relative humidity 60.2 % (H) and 74.6 % (L) and THI 69.4 (H) and 33.4 (L). The behaviour of the cows was recorded 1568 times, showing them mostly lying down (1037) or standing (531). The cows tended to prefer lying down on their left sides (594 observations) as opposed to their right sides (443).