Hourly and seasonal variations in the area preferences of dairy cows in freestall housing.

Barn designs that promote animal comfort and that reflect preferences of dairy cattle play an important role in increasing animal production. This study was performed in freestall barn housing in Konya (Turkey) to determine the hourly and seasonal variation occurring in the barn area preferences of dairy cows. Behaviors of dairy cows were observed in a freestall barn at a commercial dairy farm from 2006 to 2007 using continuous video data (24h per d). The behaviors of the cows in the barn were videotaped for a total of 40 d (960 h) over 4 seasons (10d for each season) using a 60-min scan sampling technique. The study design included the hourly and seasonal rates of usage of 5 different parts of the barn area. In addition, temperature and humidity were measured on an hourly basis. The values of the cow comfort index, cow stress index, and stall usage index (SUI) were calculated. All behavioral phenotypes were analyzed with a factorial experimental design. The relationship between the barn area preferences of the dairy cattle and the climatic data for the barn area was significant. The open area (a courtyard) was used at a higher rate by dairy cattle for resting, standing, and walking. In addition, the courtyard area was preferred to the freestalls for resting or lying. The rates of usage of the courtyard during autumn, winter, spring, and summer were 39.0, 20, 66.1, and 52.2%, respectively. The usage rates of the stalls for these seasons were 22.5, 35.7, 4.6, and 8.6%, respectively. The cow comfort index values for autumn, winter, spring, and summer were 0.19, 0.29, 0.03, and 0.05, respectively. The cow stress index values for these seasons were 0.27, 0.29, 0.23, and 0.22, respectively. The qualities and size of the barn areas should allow comfortable movement of the animals. And, it is very important that new barn designs incorporate area preferences and the comfort of the cattle rather than high-cost investments.