1. Tactile, Auditory, and Visual Stimulation as Sensory Enrichment for Dairy Cattle.
- Author
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Mota-Rojas, Daniel, Whittaker, Alexandra L., Domínguez-Oliva, Adriana, Strappini, Ana C., Álvarez-Macías, Adolfo, Mora-Medina, Patricia, Ghezzi, Marcelo, Lendez, Pamela, Lezama-García, Karina, and Grandin, Temple
- Subjects
SENSORY stimulation ,VISUAL perception ,MILK yield ,HUMAN-animal relationships ,ANIMAL welfare ,DAIRY cattle ,ACOUSTIC stimulation ,EMOTIONAL conditioning - Abstract
Simple Summary: Tactile, auditory, and visual stimuli have been proposed as enrichment types for dairy cattle to improve productive performance and overall welfare, including consideration of the mental domain. This review discusses the effects of mechanical brushes, tactile udder stimulation, music, and visual stimuli on dairy cattle welfare. The evidence suggests that mechanical brushes elicit positive emotional responses in cows. Music appears to have significant potential to improve welfare and productive performance. However, the type of music and tempo needs careful consideration. Other stimuli such as mirrors and pictures of conspecifics require further assessment to establish their impact. Several types of enrichment can be used to improve animal welfare. This review summarizes the literature on the use of mechanical brushes, tactile udder stimulation, music, and visual stimuli as enrichment methods for dairy cows. Mechanical brushes and tactile stimulation of the udder have been shown to have a positive effect on milk yield and overall behavioral repertoire, enhancing natural behavior. Classical music reduces stress levels and has similarly been associated with increased milk yield. A slow or moderate tempo (70 to 100 bpm) at frequencies below 70 dB is recommended to have this positive effect. Evidence on the impacts of other types of enrichment, such as visual stimulation through mirrors, pictures, and color lights, or the use of olfactory stimuli, is equivocal and requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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