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This study aimed to investigate the effect of the different dry-off strategies based on reducing feeding level (normal vs. reduced energy density), reducing milking frequency (twice vs. once daily), and administration of a dopamine agonist after last milking (i.e. saline vs. cabergoline injection) on blood metabolites, hormones, and minerals around dry-off. In this experiment, 119 Holstein dairy cows were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. In the last week before dry-off, cows were allocated to 1 of the 4 possible dry-off strategies based on feeding level and milking frequency. Within 3 h after last milking, cows were injected with either saline or a D2 dopamine agonist (cabergoline; Velactis, Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France; labeled for use only with abrupt dry-off, e.g., no preceding reduction in feeding level or milking frequency before last milking). After dry-off, all cows were fed the same dry cow diet and data collection continued for a week. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein on d -9, -6, -5, -2, 1, 2, 5, and 7 relative to dry-off. Additionally, blood was sampled at 0, 3, and 6 h relative to injection of either cabergoline or saline, equivalent to d 0.125, 0.250, and 0.375 relative to last milking (dry-off). The reduced feeding level before dry-off caused reduced glucose and insulin concentrations as well as increased free fatty acid concentrations, particularly when reduced feeding level was combined with milking the cows 2× daily. The intramuscular injection of cabergoline caused the expected reduction in circulating prolactin concentrations. In addition, dopamine-agonist cabergoline induced an atypical simultaneous pattern of plasma metabolites (i.e., increased glucose and free fatty acid concentrations), hormones (i.e., reduced insulin and increased cortisol concentrations), and minerals (i.e., reduced calcium concentration), indicating that normal metabolic and mineral homeostatic regulations were hindered after the injection of ergot alkaloid cabergoline. In conclusion, reducing milking frequency seems the best management strategy to reduce milk production at dry-off among those tested in this study.

Among the physical dimensions of the pig body, the height has received limited scientific focus. During transport, however, where multideck trucks and trailers typically are used, detailed knowledge about the height of pigs is relevant. The body weight of pigs is often known, whereas height is more difficult to quantify as part of the pre-transport management of the pigs. Nursery pigs are one category of European pig production often subjected to long distance transport for further fattening some weeks after weaning. The present study aimed to determine the height of pigs from 5 to 40 kg of body weight, as well as the relation between height and body weight. The height and weight were measured for 1,614 randomly selected pigs (castrates and females) from 10 Danish pig herds balanced between the two large breeding systems, DanBred (DB) and Danish Genetics (DG). From 9 herds, data from 1,435 pigs with 2.8 to 40.6 kg body weight were used for establishing prediction equations, while pigs from the tenth herd were set aside for validation. The study considered using 1) polynomial regressions of various order; 2) power functions; or 3) nonlinear growth curve models. Overall, the third-order polynomial with sex-specific intercept and the power function with sex-specific log-intercept were optimal for prediction. Nevertheless, for feasibility and due to only marginal sex differences, we suggest using common intercepts for prediction of height from weight. Taken together, the results of the present study present data for pig height in the interval from 5 to 40 kg body weight. Further, we suggest that a third-order polynomial or a power function can be used for pigs from at least the genetic systems DB and DG, if the pig height is to be predicted based on body weight.

Drying-off may challenge the welfare of especially high-yielding dairy cows. In this study, 119 loose-housed Holstein cows yielding ≥20 kg milk/d were enrolled in a 2 × 2 factorial design aiming to investigate effects of changes in diet energy density and daily milking frequency on behavior. The last 7 d before the dry-off day, cows were milked either twice or once daily, and were fed either a lactation diet or the same diet diluted with 30% barley straw, both offered in individual bins for ad libitum intake. All cows were fitted with sensors to record lying time and activity, and data from 109 of these cows were used together with behavioral observations obtained from video recordings of 52 of the cows. Data from activity sensors and video recordings were obtained during 24 h on d −6, −3, and −1 relative to the dry-off day (i.e., the day of the last milking). Across all days of observation, cows milked once daily spent more time feeding (149 vs. 130 min/d) than cows milked twice daily. Cows on the reduced diet and milked twice daily had a shorter lying time compared with cows on the normal diet and milked twice (759 vs. 837 min/d), whereas lying times of cows on the remaining 2 treatments were intermediate. Among cows on the lactation diet, reduced milking frequency increased time spent perching (from 11.1 to 28.7 min/d). Cows fed the energy-reduced diet spent more time feeding (154 vs. 124 min/d), showed more attempts to feed from unassigned feed bins (31.7 vs. 15.4 attempts daily), and spent less time using a mechanical brush (6.5 vs. 9.2 min/d) than cows fed the lactation diet. These results show that several aspects of cows' behavior, including main activities such as lying and feeding, but also behaviors of low resilience such as brush use, and to some extent more subtle and complex behaviors such as perching and attempts to feed from unassigned feed bins, are sensitive to management changes typically applied during the days before dry-off. The behavioral effects of the reduced feed energy level support earlier findings suggesting that qualitative feed restriction renders cows hungry. The effects of the reduced milking frequency on behavior were generally less pronounced, but 2 noteworthy interactions between milking frequency and diet were seen. First, cows milked twice daily and fed the energy-reduced diet spent less time lying, which is possibly related to increased energy demand and hunger. Second, cows milked once daily and fed the lactation diet spent more time perching, which may be related to udder discomfort. However, these more complex findings warrant further study. Taken together, the results of this study show that a dry-off procedure involving reduced energy supply induces behavioral changes indicating a higher degree of compromised welfare compared with reduced milking frequency.

Although applied in some countries, efficacy of local anesthetics based on procaine to mitigate acute responses to piglet castration remains questioned. This paper presents results from a factorial study examining the effects of two methods of injection of a procaine-based drug (intra-funicular, IF, vs. intra-testicular, IT), and four intervals between drug injection and castration (2.5, 5, 10, and 30 min) on acute responses of 3–4 day old piglets. The study involved 597 male piglets, and 13 treatments: surgical castration without anesthesia (CC), local anesthesia followed by castration involving all combinations of injection method and interval, and sham handling separated by the same four intervals (SH). Responses of piglets to drug injection, castration and sham handling were evaluated based on quantification of intra-procedural vocalizations and leg movements, as well as saliva cortisol concentration in samples taken before and after castration. No differences were found between IF and the simpler IT injection method. Intervals of 2.5 or 30 min led to stronger piglet responses than the other intervals. Overall, treatments involving anesthesia led to significantly stronger responses than sham handling, during both injection and castration. All treatments, even sham handling, led to a significant increase in saliva cortisol, with no differences between anesthesia treatments and controls. Based on these results, castration 5–10 min after intra-testicular injection of procaine seems to be preferable as compared to the other treatments tested. However, piglets still showed measurable signs of pain and stress during both injection and castration, while handling alone (including the use of a castration bench) triggered a noticeable stress response. In light of these findings, the overall benefit of the procedure in terms of piglet welfare remains arguable.

Surgical castration of piglets is painful, but practiced routinely in commercial pig production. Procaine-based local anesthetics are used to mitigate piglet pain during castration in some countries. Yet, effects of the volume of anesthetic injected remain under-studied. The volume of drug administered may modulate the pain mitigating effect via variation in intra-testicular pressure at injection, potentially leading to pain or discomfort, as well as variation in the dose of active ingredient administered. The present study investigated the effects of injection with two volumes of a procaine-based local anesthetic, 0.3 vs. 0.5 mL per testis, on acute responses of 3–4 day old piglets. A total of 290 piglets were divided into 5 treatment groups: castration without anesthesia, castration after intra-testicular injection of 0.5 or 0.3 mL of drug per testis, and sham handling with one or two stays in a castration bench. Acute responses to drug injection, castration and sham handling were evaluated based on quantification of intra-procedural vocalizations and foreleg movements, as well as saliva cortisol concentrations before and after castration. Regardless of the volume, injection of anesthetic as well as castration led to significantly stronger responses than sham handling. Responses to the two drug volumes did not differ significantly, and responses to castration following injection of 0.3 mL did not differ from piglets castrated without anesthesia. All treatments, including sham handling, led to a significant increase in saliva cortisol, and no difference was found between anesthesia treatments and sham handling. Overall, the results suggested that injection of 0.5 mL led to better pain mitigation at castration compared to injection of 0.3 mL, but even when the local anesthetic was used, the combined procedures of injection and castration led to intra-procedural signs of pain and stress.

Recent data suggest that organic broilers often score worse on footpad lesions than conventional broilers but also that the current scoring of organic broiler feet may be misleading. In order to characterise footpad lesions in organic broilers, this study assessed and compared footpad lesions in a sample of 2987 conventional and 3578 organic broiler feet obtained from a large Danish abattoir during summer and winter. The feet were scored according to two scoring systems: the modified Danish surveillance scoring system and a histopathology-based new scoring system specifically developed to target the ability to differentiate between broiler feet with hyperkeratosis and ulcers. For both systems, all broiler feet with visible lesions were cross-sectionally incised. Significant differences between the two production systems were found for both scoring systems (χ2 = 710; P < 0.001 and χ2 = 247; P < 0.001 for the new and the surveillance systems, respectively), showing that a larger proportion of the organic feet compared to conventional feet - summer and winter - exhibited signs of hyperkeratosis. In addition, a smaller fraction of the organic feet than of the conventional feet were given the outermost scores, that is, normal or ulcerated; 13.4% v. 25.3% broiler feet were given score 0 for organic v. conventional production systems, respectively (χ2 = 152; P < 0.001), and 18.4% v. 23.8% feet were given score 4 for organic v. conventional production systems, respectively (χ2 = 308; P < 0.001). Thus, the results suggest that surveillance scoring systems such as the one used in Denmark are useful for the examination of footpad lesions in broilers from both types of production systems. However, the results have also raised attention to a typical characteristic of the feet of organic broilers, that is, profound hyperkeratosis, which may underlie potential misclassifications in surveillance scoring systems like the one used in Denmark. Among the possible solutions to this challenge to the correctness and fairness of the scoring system are improved procedures (such as mandatory incision), training of technicians and calibration of results (especially for the organic footpads).

In an effort to mitigate piglet acute responses to surgical castration, the procedure can be preceded by injections of a local anaesthetic. Regardless of potential benefits at castration, the impact of local anaesthetics on piglet welfare following the procedure remains under-documented. The present paper is based on data collected in two separate castration studies investigating the impact of injection with procaine, using different injection methods, different volumes of injected drug and different timing of injection, on behavioural responses of 3–4 day old piglets, as measured by indicators of social motivation immediately after castration (Study 1 and 2), as well as behaviours recorded continuously for 10 min upon return to the home pen (Study 2 only). Study 1 involved 597 piglets, and 13 treatments: castration without anaesthesia (CC), local anaesthesia followed by castration involving all combinations of two methods of injection (intra-funicular and intra-testicular) and four intervals between injection and castration (2.5, 5, 10 and 30 min), and sham handling separated by the same four intervals (SH). Study 2 involved 290 piglets and 5 treatments: castration without anaesthesia (CC), castration after intra-testicular injections of 0.5 or 0.3 mL of procaine per testis, and sham handling with either one (SH1) or two stays in a castration bench (SH2). Across both studies, piglets injected with procaine showed signs of reduced motivation to approach their siblings in the social motivation test compared to controls castrated without anaesthesia or sham handled. The indicators of social motivation did not differ from the controls in case of castration 30 min after drug injection. In addition, responses shown in the social motivation test were less impacted after injection of 0.3 compared to 0.5 mL of procaine per testis. In Study 2, piglets injected with 0.5 mL of procaine appeared to be less active at the udder, and displayed more huddled up postures, immediately upon return to the home pen, as compared to piglets injected with 0.3 mL of procaine or the controls castrated without anaesthesia or sham handled. Altogether, the results suggest that injections with a procaine-based local anaesthetic negatively impact the responses of piglets in a test of social motivation as well as the home-pen behaviour of piglets in the early post-operative period. The present results call for attention towards the post-surgical phase, but understanding the potential welfare impacts as well as the motivational changes underlying these findings require further study.

Housing in hospital pens may be beneficial for lame cows due to soft flooring and less competition for resources. We compared recovery from lameness among dairy cows housed in designated hospital pens, with deep-litter straw, with recovery among cows housed together with the rest of the lactating cows in their home pens, with cubicles and slatted or solid concrete floors. Additionally, we compared lying behavior in the 2 groups of cows. A total of 168 lame dairy cows from 5 herds were included in the study. Each herd was visited once weekly, and lame cows (locomotion score 3 or 4 on a 5-point scale) were examined in a hoof-trimming chute, trimmed, and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: housing in a hospital pen (termed “treatment”; 72 cows) or housing under the herds’ standard conditions together with the rest of the lactating cows in the herd (termed “control”; 96 cows). Cows were locomotion scored weekly until they were no longer lame or until they had been part of the trial for 3 weeks (i.e., 2, 3, or 4 locomotion scorings per cow). We categorized cows to describe the progression of lameness over time: recovery (divided into fast, medium, or slow), improvement without recovery, constant lameness, or worsening of lameness. Lying behavior was recorded in a sample of 60 of the 168 cows for a period of 5 d. Overall, recovery from lameness was significantly different between treatment and control cows. The proportion of cows included in the study with locomotion score 4 and a subsequent improvement was significantly higher among treatment cows than among control cows. Among cows included with locomotion score 4, 40% of treatment cows also had a locomotion score 4 at the fourth locomotion scoring, 46% had improved to a score 3, and 14% were no longer lame. In comparison, 73% of control cows had a locomotion score 4 at the fourth locomotion scoring, 16% had improved to a score 3, and 11% were no longer lame. We found no differences between treatment and control cows for mean daily lying time, number of steps per day, number of daily lying bouts, or mean duration of lying bouts. Housing of lame dairy cows in a hospital pen with a soft surface, easier access to feed and water, a smaller group size, and reduced waiting time for milking may have positive effects on recovery from lameness. Typically, farmers have housed only severely lame cows in hospital pens. However, our results indicate that less severely lame cows may also benefit from a stay in a hospital pen.

Abrupt and gradual dry-off strategies by reducing feeding level (normal vs. reduced energy density), reducing milking frequency (twice vs. once daily), and administration of a dopamine agonist after last milking (i.m. saline vs. cabergoline injection) were investigated (2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement) for their effects on feed intake, milk yield, energy balance, milk leakage, and clinical udder characteristics in 119 Holstein cows. In the last week before dry-off, cows were assigned to 1 of 4 combinations of feeding level and milking frequency. Within 3 h after last milking, cows were injected with either saline or a dopamine agonist (cabergoline; Velactis, Ceva Santé Animale; labeled for use only with abrupt dry-off, i.e., no preceding reduction in feeding level or milking frequency before last milking). After dry-off, all cows were fed the same diet for dry cows, and data collection continued for a week. Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded in automated feed bins and milk yield in an automatic milking system where additional concentrate was fed. Clinical udder characteristics and milk leakage were scored 10 times during the week before and the week after dry-off. Before dry-off, total DMI decreased with reduced feeding level compared with normal feeding level, but did not differ between milking frequencies. The combined effect of reduced DMI and diet energy concentration resulted in a 47% lower net energy intake with reduced feeding level compared with normal feeding level during the week before dry-off. Milk yield was approximately 30% lower during the week before dry-off when either feeding level or milking frequency was reduced compared with no change in feeding level or milking frequency, whereas milk yield was 45% lower when both feeding level and milking frequency were reduced. The net energy balance during the week before dry-off was negative with reduced feeding level and more negative when combined with twice-daily milking. After dry-off, udder engorgement was reduced in the 3 gradual dry-off treatments compared with abrupt dry-off. Cabergoline injection after last milking resulted in least udder engorgement and signs of milk leakage for 48 h, but also resulted in abrupt reduction of DMI lasting approximately 24 h irrespective of treatment before dry-off. In conclusion, gradual cessation of lactation by reducing milking frequency to once daily without reducing the feeding level decreased milk yield before dry-off in high-yielding dairy cows and reduced udder engorgement after dry-off without inducing negative energy balance during the period of dry-off. In contrast, reduced feeding level induced negative energy balance, which may compromise welfare due to metabolic stress and hunger. No clear differences in risk of milk leakage after dry-off were observed between abrupt and gradual dry-off management strategies. Use of cabergoline led to fewer signs of milk leakage and reduced udder engorgement during the first days after dry-off, which may positively affect welfare at dry-off. However, the mechanism behind and the welfare consequences of the concomitant abrupt decrease in DMI lasting approximately 24 h needs further investigation to complete our understanding of dopamine agonist use for dry-off. ispartof: JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE vol:104 issue:10 pages:11108-11125 ispartof: location:United States status: published

We investigated the single and combined effects of 2 feeding levels (normal lactation diet vs. energy-reduced diet, both fed for ad libitum intake) and 2 daily milking frequencies (twice vs. once) during 1 wk before the dry-off day (d 0), as well as an intramuscular injection of either a dopamine agonist (cabergoline; Velactis, Ceva Sante Animale; labeled for use only with abrupt dry-off, e.g., no reduction in feeding level or milking frequency before the last milking) or saline after the last milking on d 0 on the feeding motivation of clinically healthy, loose-housed, pregnant, lactating Holstein cows. From d 0, all cows were fed the same dry-cow diet for ad libitum intake. Cows were subjected to 2 feed-thwarting tests, a test in the home pen using their diets (test A: d -6, -1, and 1; during 35 min when the feed bins were filled, but locked) and another test carried out in an adjacent pen in which access to concentrate provided in a familiar plastic box was blocked by a wire-mesh lid (test B: d -5 and 2). In test A, we recorded how often cows attempted to feed per 35 min, whether cows vocalized during the 35-min period, and latency to feed within 300 s after feed bins were unlocked. In test B, we recorded latency to approach either of 2 familiar boxes (the wire-mesh box and an identical open box with a small portion of concentrate) within 600 s and how often cows directed behaviors toward the wire-mesh box (number of occurences/5 min). On d -6 (test A), no clear differences in feeding motivation among treatments were found. On d -5 and -1, cows fed the energy-reduced diet displayed a higher probability of vocalizing (test A), were more than 50% quicker to feed (test A), were approximately 5× quicker to approach a box (test B), and directed 60% more behavior toward the wire-mesh box (test B) than cows fed the normal diet. Moreover, cows fed the energy-reduced diet attempted to feed approximately 75% more on d -1 compared with d -6 (test A). On d 2 (test B), cows previously fed the normal diet directed 40% more behavior toward the wire-mesh box than cows previously fed the energy-reduced diet. Reducing feeding level, either before or on the dry-off day, resulted in consistently increased feeding motivation, interpreted as a sign of hunger. No clear effects of change in milking frequency, singly or combined with reduced diet energy density, on feeding motivation were found before d 0. Whereas, on d 2, cows previously milked twice daily were quicker to approach a box than cows previously milked once daily. Cows injected with cabergoline attempted to feed more, but showed lower probability of vocalizing compared with saline-injected cows (d 1; test A), irrespective of treatment before d 0. The effects of cabergoline on feeding motivation are not easily interpreted and warrant further investigation. From a hunger perspective, reducing milking frequency rather than diet energy density seems to be a less negative management to reduce milk production before dry-off.

Background To investigate if specific sow and piglet behavioral characteristics could be used diagnostically, this case-cohort study of the behavior of sows and piglets during the periparturient period (from 24 h before the birth of first piglet to 24 h after the birth of last piglet) was conducted. Data included 32 sows diagnosed with PDS (PDS+) vs. 37 healthy matched controls (PDS−) and their litters. Results A significant change from active behavior with many postural changes to a more passive behavior was noted in connection with parturition. Sow nesting behavior was less frequent in PDS+ sows compared to PDS− sows during (p = 0.04) and after parturition (p = 0.0004). No difference was found between PDS+ and PDS− in the number of postural changes, interval from last time standing to the birth of the first piglet, interval from last time eating/drinking to the birth of the first piglet, interval from the birth of the first piglet to the sow standing after farrowing, interval from the birth of the last piglet until eating/drinking, occurrence of bar biting, or frequency or duration of eating/drinking during the observation period. Piglets of PDS+ sows stayed outside the creep areas more often than piglets of PDS− sows (p Conclusion These results confirm that sow behavior changes from active before parturition to more passive after parturition. Being diagnosed with PDS affected the periparturient behavior of sows as well as their piglets. The observed reduction in nesting behavior in PDS+ sows may suggest that a highly motivated piglet-oriented behavior was affected. However, classical sickness behaviors like lethargy and passivity seem to be poor markers for PDS.

BackgroundThe walking ability of many broilers is characterised by slight or definite defects categorised as gait scores (GS) 1 and 2. The present study aimed to examine potential relationships between GSs and indicators of body morphology, leg pathology, tibia strength and wooden breast in Ross 308 broilers assessed as GS ≤ 2.MethodsAt 38 days of age, GS and live body weight of 179 birds was recorded. Each bird was examined post-mortem for signs of wooden breast, contact dermatitis and a range of leg pathologies. Weights of different body parts and tibia strength were quantified.ResultsWithin sex, GS increased with increasing live body weight (p = 0.020). There was a tendency for an effect of GS on prevalence of footpad dermatitis (p = 0.086) and dislocated femoral joint cartilage (p = 0.059) where both pathologies increased in frequency with increasing GS. Greater load was required to fracture tibia from GS2 than GS0 birds (p = 0.040).ConclusionsWithin this relatively small data set, no strong relationships between GS ≤ 2 and indicators of body morphology, leg pathology, tibia strength and wooden breast in Ross 308 broilers were found, except for the live terminal body weight. Further studies, involving larger data sets are required for full clarification.

Animal transport is debated due to welfare concerns. In this paper, data from 2014-2018 on animal transportation between EU member states (MS) (for slaughter, breeding, and production), are evaluated to create basis for discussion of TRACES database as tool to inform about pig and cattle welfare. Approximately 33million pigs were transported between EU MS peryear with considerable changes within categories.The majority of pigs was transported for production (57 to 73%), transportation for slaughter constituted 29% (34 to 25%), and the remaining (2–9%) were transported for breeding. Approximately 4 million cattle was transported peryear. The majority was transported for production (62 to 71%), 15–16% for slaughter, and the rest for breeding (23 to 14%). For each species and purpose category, 10 MS transporting the highest numbers are presented, suggesting acomplex underlying pattern with potential animal welfare consequences. Based on adiscussion of selected examples, however, we suggest that usefulness of TRACES as basis of an informed animal welfare evaluation would improve by including data from relevant animal types in addition to purpose categories.

Use of individual maternity pens for dairy cows is rec- ommended to ensure undisturbed calving and postpar- tum transfer of colostrum to calves, but management of these pens is a challenge due to difficulty predicting the time of calving. If group-housed cows, however, have the opportunity to calve in a secluded area of a group pen, this may limit disturbance of the dam and her newborn, especially if this area is fitted with a gate preventing other cows from entering. The aims of this study were to assess effects of cows calving inside a secluded area versus cows calving in the group area on maternal behavior and social interaction between dam and herd members during the first postpartum hour, calf’s latency to stand, number of calves suckling an alien cow, and the dam’s acute response to separation from the calf. This was investigated in pens consisting of a central group area with access to 6 secluded areas with or without a mechanical push gate allowing only 1 cow access at a time. At least 2 wk before expected calving, 60 Danish Holstein multiparous cows were as- signed alternately, in groups of 6, to a group pen with 6 gated secluded areas or a group pen with 6 ungated se- cluded areas. The effects of treatment (gated, ungated) and calving place chosen within treatment (secluded area, group area) on maternal behavior, interactions with herd members, maternal response to separation, and calf latency to stand were investigated. Irrespective of whether cows calved in a secluded area or not and whether the secluded area was gated or not, cows spent, on average, 39 (±7.9) min of the first hour after calving licking their calves. When calving in a gated secluded area, the cows interacted less with herd members than when calving in the group area (0.5, 28, 18, and 33 min/h for gated/secluded, gated/group, ungated/secluded, and ungated/group areas, respectively), and no calves suckled an alien cow within the first hour after birth. In addition, the longer the calf stayed with the dam, the longer the dam stood with her head out of the pen after removal of the calf. Calf’s latency to stand after calving was unaffected by treatment and calving place (mean = 39 min; range = 8–243 min). The results show that dam and calf can be protected from distur- bances when cows calve in a secluded maternity area, especially if the secluded maternity area is fitted with a gate preventing other cows form entering.

Despite its high relevance for fitness for transport, the clinical condition of cull dairy cows before they are sent to slaughter has received very little scientific attention. Here, we report descriptive clinical data from cull Danish dairy cows, examined on-farm in the hours before transport to slaughter. A total of 411 cows, with a median parity of 3 (range: 1–10), from 20 Danish dairy herds, and slaughtered over a 1 year period, were included in the study. Almost 75% of the cows deviated from normal in at least one clinical measure, 31% were lame, 20% showed signs of mastitis and 22% had wounds, of which none were considered severe. Only few of the cows showed signs leading to direct decision of being unfit for transport, but many of them could be considered ‘slightly ill or injured’ as defined in the European Regulation, thus raising concern for the thresholds for fitness for transport in these animals.

Gait defects, assessed as gait score (GS), is a common welfare problem in broiler chicken production. The aim of this study was to examine whether birds with GS2 experience pain and poor locomotor ability compared to birds of lower GS. From day 0–27 of age, 600 Ross 308 birds were housed in simulated commercial conditions (stocking density 40 kg/m2). On day 27, all birds were gait scored and 192 birds (4 blocks of 48 birds) were selected as experimental birds based on gait score (GS0 or GS2). On day 28, a runway test with and without obstacles was performed to examine the locomotor ability of the birds. Approximately 3 h before testing, the experimental birds were injected with the NSAID carprofen (25 mg/kg s.c.) or saline (equivalent volume). A Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) test was conducted on day 38, after 4 days of conditioning to a chamber (70 × 70 cm; painted either green with vertical stripes or orange with horizontal stripes) after injection with carprofen or saline. The broilers were expected to show a preference for the place in which they experienced a positive emotional state as induced by the mitigation of pain by carprofen. In the runway test, GS0 birds reached the end of the runway with obstacles faster compared to GS2 birds (P = 0.04) and tended to be faster than GS1 birds (P = 0.08). No effect of carprofen was found on the behaviour in the runway and no effect of GS on the behaviour in the runway without obstacles. In the CPP test, there was no effect of GS or carprofen on chamber preference (P > 0.05). The results showed clear differences between birds of GS2 and lower GSs in terms of locomotor response in the runway, indicating that locomotor ability was compromised with increased GS. The results could not confirm whether these differences in locomotor ability are related to or due to increased pain with increased GS.

We used spontaneous behaviours to assess response to dry-off involving abrupt dietary and milking frequency changes, followed by regrouping, after the last milking in 15 clinically healthy Holstein-Frisian cows kept outdoors. Moreover, we explored the potential of infrared thermography to detect eye temperature variations possibly induced by dry-off. On days − 1, 0, 1 and 2 relative to dry-off, we recorded whether cows vocalised during feed delivery; ate fresh feed within 5 min; and mean maximum eye temperature at approximately 1 h after feed delivery. On days 1 and 2, cows were more likely to eat fresh feed compared to days − 1 and 0. No difference in likelihood of vocalising was found. Compared to day − 1, eye temperature was substantially higher on days 0 and 2. Collectively, the results suggest that cows responded, both behaviourally and physiologically, to the abrupt dry-off management. The interpretation of the current findings deserves further investigation using larger sample sizes, more controlled environments and further behavioural, physiological, cognitive and clinical measures.

In modern pig production up to 50 % of the sows are slaughtered each year. So far, only few studies have focused on how sows are handled and moved within slaughterhouses. We examined effects of group size on the behaviour of sows and the ease of moving them from the entrance of a slaughterhouse and towards the lairage pens. The study included 30 truck loads of cull sows (and a few breeding boars, as they were transported to slaughter together with the sows; 1917 sows and 55 boars). The sows were transported between 4.2–7.5 hours in fully air-suspended two-deck trucks, approved for transport of sows. Half of the loads were moved from the trucks as full loads (32−95 sows per load), the other half split into smaller groups of 5–6 sows. The behaviour of sows and handlers was observed directly, while they were entering the slaughterhouse and walked along a downward sloping concrete aisle measuring 1.1 m (width) and 13.2 m (length) ramp, approaching a 90° corner on the way to the lairage pens. Differences in the behaviour of the handlers between the two treatments were minor, but moving sows in smaller groups did, contrarily to our expectations, prolong the duration of the procedure, probably due to the sorting into smaller groups onboard of the truck. The results confirmed that passing a corner may constitute an obstacle for the ease of moving sows, especially when they were moved as full loads, as a higher proportion of these sows stopped or blocked the aisle near the corner, than the sows moved in smaller groups. In addition, a higher proportion of the sows moved as full loads turned 180° against the direction of intended movement. In conclusion, modulation of the group size of sows upon arrival at a slaughterhouse affected their behaviour and the ease of movement. Further studies are needed to examine cost-benefit of low group size when moving sows in terms of animal welfare, human well-being and logistics.

We used spontaneous behaviours to assess response to dry-off involving abrupt dietary and milking frequency changes, followed by regrouping, after the last milking in 15 clinically healthy Holstein-Frisian cows kept outdoors. Moreover, we explored the potential of infrared thermography to detect eye temperature variations possibly induced by dry-off. On days - 1, 0, 1 and 2 relative to dry-off, we recorded whether cows vocalised during feed delivery; ate fresh feed within 5 min; and mean maximum eye temperature at approximately 1 h after feed delivery. On days 1 and 2, cows were more likely to eat fresh feed compared to days - 1 and 0. No difference in likelihood of vocalising was found. Compared to day - 1, eye temperature was substantially higher on days 0 and 2. Collectively, the results suggest that cows responded, both behaviourally and physiologically, to the abrupt dry-off management. The interpretation of the current findings deserves further investigation using larger sample sizes, more controlled environments and further behavioural, physiological, cognitive and clinical measures.

During their first days of postnatal life, piglets reared for meat production are often subjected to numerous husbandry practices that cause injury of sensitive tissues and hence are potential sources of pain. The intensity and duration of the pain engendered depend on the nature and magnitude of tissue damage. Each of these practices is carried out for specific reasons, such as preventing boar taint (castration), reducing the risk of tail biting (tail docking), limiting lesions on siblings and the sow's teats (tooth resection), improving health (injections) or identifying animals (ear tagging or notching). This chapter will discuss the rationale and methods used, the evidence of pain during and shortly after the procedure, the long-term pain consequences, the consequences for health and human-animal relationships, the current options for pain mitigation and the pros and cons of avoiding these practices completely. Solutions are emerging to minimise the industry's dependence on these practices and, when still considered necessary, to enable selection of the least painful option and best mitigate any residual pain. A better knowledge of the affective component of the pain involved in the practices as well as the establishment of standard and validated protocols of pain evaluation are needed in order to move forward and determine the best solutions from an animal welfare perspective and feasibility by farmers.

BackgroundThe efficacy of procaine as anaesthetic for disbudding of calves is largely unknown. Likewise, information about effect of interval from local anaesthesia to disbudding and the size of the hot iron used is missing.MethodsA total of 167 dairy calves were disbudded after cornual nerve block with procaine. Time from administration of anaesthetic to disbudding varied, and calves were disbudded using two different sizes of hot iron. The calves’ behavioural responses to disbudding were recorded based on (1) getting up, (2) kicking, and (3) lifting head. Using logistic regression, the associations between calves showing at least one of these three behaviours and interval from administration of anaesthetic to disbudding and size of the hot iron were evaluated.ResultsOverall, 42% of calves showed at least one of the three behaviours, even though they had received a cornual nerve block prior to disbudding. Using the large hot iron was associated with a 2.3 times higher odds of the calf reacting behaviourally compared to the small iron. Interval from administration of anaesthetic to disbudding was not significantly associated with the odds of behavioural responses.ConclusionApproximately 40% of calves disbudded after cornual nerve block with procaine showed signs of inadequate local anaesthesia. This was especially problematic when hot irons with larger tips were used.

The provision of straw to pigs kept in conventional pens with concrete floor improves animal welfare, but the effects of straw on pigs' performance are unclear. In two steps, we investigated the relationship between amount of straw provided to pigs and measures of performance in a set-up maintaining constant space allowance and controlled room temperature. From approximately 30- to 85-kg BW, pigs were housed in groups of 18 in pens (5.48 m × 2.48 m) with concrete floor (1/3 solid, 1/3 drained and 1/3 slatted). The pens were cleaned manually twice a week, and the designated amount of fresh uncut wheat straw was provided daily onto the solid part of the floor. In the first step, 48 pens were assigned to 10-, 500- or 1000-g straw per pig per day, while in the second step, 90 pens were assigned to 10-, 80-, 150-, 220-, 290-, 360-, 430- or 500-g straw per pig per day. Pigs were weighed at the start of the experimental period at approximately 30 kg and again at approximately 85-kg BW. The average daily gain increased 8.1 g (SEM 17) for every extra 100-g straw added daily (P < 0.001) resulting in 40 g higher average daily gain with 500 compared to 10-g straw per pig per day. The feed conversion ratio was not affected by the amount of straw provided, as the feed intake tended to be higher with increasing amounts of straw. Thus, between 10 and 500 g, the more straw provided, the higher the daily weight gain. As the nutritional value of straw is considered minimal, this result is likely due to improved gut health from the increasing amounts of straw ingested and increased feed intake due to increased stimulation of exploratory behaviour with increasing amounts of straw available, or a combination of these. The observed tendency for a higher feed intake supports this suggestion, but studies are needed to establish the impact of these two contributing factors.

Including Denmark, modern pig production typically involves annual culling rates close to 50%. One important professional group in this process are livestock drivers transporting the animals to slaughter. By use of oral interviews, we aimed to describe experiences and opinions of Danish livestock drivers transporting sows, regarding fitness for transport and management choices relevant for animal welfare. All livestock drivers (N = 30) associated with a large slaughterhouse in Denmark accepting sows were approached in person, after having unloaded sows, and asked questions by an interviewer. A total of 22 livestock drivers (73%) answered all questions, constituting of a heterogeneous group of men of varying age, level of experience, time since they achieved the legally required certificate of competence, and daily involvement in sow transportation. Among livestock drivers included in the present study, doubt about fitness for transport was not uncommon, and specific reasons underlying their doubt were listed. All respondents reported to have experienced having to reject loading a cull sow who had been selected for slaughter by a herd manager, and approximately 40% did this several times a year. In contrast, almost 50% had never experienced having a sow rejected by the veterinarian at the slaughterhouse due to lack of fitness for transport. When asked about their management of sows during transportation, the majority (71%) reported using special condition transport (use of extra bedding and partitions to separate individual sows from rest of the load) less than once per month. All respondents considered hot days a problem for welfare of sows and the majority reported to adjust air intake of trucks daily or several times per week. In addition, approximately half of the respondents mentioned stationary periods (e.g., mandatory driver rests) as a challenge to sow welfare, to a degree where they had violated regulation on mandatory driver rests for the sake of welfare of the sows. The present study is among the few to focus on livestock drivers transporting sows, including questions about management choices and the animals’ fitness for transport. The findings may form basis for future development of educational programs for drivers as well as for the formulation of hypotheses for future studies in this area, characterized by complicated underlying legislation and challenges to animal welfare.

In dairy production, mastitis is a major problem affecting animal welfare, productivity, and economy. Hospital pens are typically not used for cows with mastitis, except for severe cases involving recumbency. This field trial included 47 cows from three Danish herds followed for 8 d, of which days 1–5 involved the experimental housing. After day 5, all cows were kept with the lactating group. We examined lying behavior in dairy cows with naturally occurring, mild-moderate mastitis in hospital pens [single or group (depending on conditions on the farm), all with deep straw bedding] vs. sick cows kept in the group of healthy herd mates. Within a herd, every other cow fulfilling the inclusion criteria regarding mastitis was allocated to each of the two experimental treatments. Clinical data from involved cases were collected. No significant differences between housing treatments were found in the clinical variables or the daily lying time. During the period of experimental housing, cows kept in hospital pens showed a higher frequency of lying bouts compared with control cows. This difference did not persist after reintroduction to the lactating herd mates. These results suggest that aspects of lying behavior of dairy cows with mastitis are sensitive to the environment as the frequency of lying bouts differed between cows kept in hospital pens and cows kept in control treatment. More controlled studies are needed to examine underlying motivations and evaluate consequences in terms of animal welfare. For such studies, the inclusion of healthy cows for comparison will be valuable.

Background: Approximately 50% of sows are slaughtered each year, but management of cull sows is not well described.Methods: We aimed to describe how cull sows are sent to slaughter using a questionnaire survey emailed to 885 Danish pig farmers, including questions about the use of pick-up facilities (either a designated pen used for reasons of biosecurity and practicality, in a special part of the barn, where pigs are kept in the last hours before being loaded onto a commercial truck, or a stationary vehicle kept outside the buildings and used for the same purpose) and evaluation of fitness for transport. Results: A total of 360 farmers answered all questions, constituting a homogeneous group of middle-aged, experienced males. The management of the sows seemed rather variable, for example regarding choice of pick-upfacility, its available resources, actions taken when sows were not fit for transport and sow conditions leading to doubt about fitness for transport. Special condition transport was only reported rarely, and rejection of sows dueto lack of fitness for transport, by drivers or veterinarians at the slaughterhouse, was only rarely experienced.Conclusion: These findings may be used for formulation of hypotheses for future studies in this area characterised by welfare challenges, potentially leading to science-based recommendations relevant for animal welfare, productivity and biosecurity.

In modern pig production up to 50% of the sows are slaughtered each year. Typically, the period from the decision to cull and until a sow is slaughtered consists of a stay in an on-farm pick-up pen (hours to weeks), transport (eventually passing buying stations or similar) and lairage. However, even though cull sows are often mentioned as vulnerable toward challenges such as transport, the behaviour and welfare of these animals have received very limited scientific attention. The aim of this study was to examine clinical and behavioural consequences of keeping cull sows in on-farm pick-up pens before transport to slaughter. The observational study took place in a private Danish sow herd with loose-housed gestating and lactating sows. The study included 103 sows with a mean parity of 5 (range 1–9) and a BCS of 3 (range 2–3). On the day of weaning, the sows were examined clinically, and walked to pick-up pens in another part of the same building, each pen holding 3–4 sows. In the pens, the sows had free access to water from a water cup and were fed on the floor twice a day with a total 2.5 FU per sow. The mean room temperature was 21.0 °C (range 18–25.6 °C). After 24 h in the pick-up pens, the clinical condition of the sows showed signs of deterioration, as judged by an increased number of superficial skin lesions (median 0 (range 0−22) v. a median of 9 (range 0−75); P < 0.001) and increased gait score (median 0 (range 0−1) v. a median of 0 (range 0−2); P < 0.001). The median occurrence of aggressive interactions per pen during the initial 6 h post-mixing was 33, ranging from 11−55. Overall, the results suggest that a 24 h stay in a pick-up pen may be a challenge to the welfare of cull sows. Further studies are needed in order to understand effects of a stay in a pick-up pen, as well as other phases of the pre-slaughter logistic chain, on welfare during this period of the production cycle and to understand possible links to fitness for transport.

Drying-off is one important management step in commercial dairy farms and consists of ceasing milk production artificially at a specific point in time, generally 2 months before the next calving. Drying-off typically comprises dietary changes as well as gradual or abrupt changes in daily milking frequency, which may challenge the welfare of high-yielding cows. This study investigated the isolated and combined effects of different feed energy densities (normal lactation diet versus energy-reduced diet, both offered ad libitum) and daily milking frequencies (twice versus once) on the feeding motivation of dairy cows on two separate days prior to dry-off (i.e. the day of last milking) using a push-gate feeder. During both days, cows on the energy-reduced diet pushed more than five times more weight to earn the final feed reward and were nearly ten times faster to feed on the first reward than cows on the normal lactation diet. Illustrating the importance of developing more animal welfare-friendly dry-off management, these results illustrate that cows show signs of hunger prior to dry-off when provided a diet with reduced energy density, although offered for ad libitum intake.

Each year 500.000 sows, equal to 50% of Danish sows, are culled and transported to slaughter. However, the clinical condition, behavior, and welfare of cull sows have received almost no scientific attention. The aim of the current observational study was to describe the clinical condition of cull sows on the day of transportation to slaughter, including examination of possible differences between lactating and nonlactating sows. On the day of transportation, the participating farms were visited by trained technicians who conducted a thorough clinical examination of all sows selected by the farmer for slaughter. Four sows could not be transported because they were unfit according to the European Council Regulation regarding fitness for transportation, and they were not included in the present data. A total of 522 sows, with a median parity of 5 (range: 1–11), from 12 Danish farms were included in the study. Approximately, 10% showed signs of changed gait, and 0.8% were obvious lame. Wounds were observed in 54.6% of the sows, and 11% had decubital shoulder ulcers. Almost 40% of the cull sows were lactating. At culling, the lactating sows were of higher parity than the nonlactating sows, and lactating sows were at higher risk of having deviations from normal on clinical variables related to examination of the udder, such as udder swellings and inflammations. Nonlactating sows had 3.5 times more superficial skin lesions than lactating sows. Our findings warrant for further studies exploring different aspects of the life of cull sows in what is here defined as the The Cull Period, which is the interval from the culling decision is made until the sows are slaughtered

In modern calving facilities, dairy cows either calve in a group pen or are moved to a separate individual pen when calving is imminent. In practice, cows are often moved too close to calving, which poses a health risk to cow and calf. Thus, a need exists for new calving facility designs and management practices that better align with the motivations of the cow. This study examined dairy cow preferences for individual calving pens by offering 3 different levels of isolation (tall and narrow, low and wide, and tall and wide) by analyzing the association between precalving behavior, choice of degree of isolation, and the progress of calving. The hypotheses were that cows would prefer the highest level of isolation when giving birth, and that calving in a high level of isolation would be associated with less restlessness and a shorter calving duration. Contrary to these hypotheses, no specific preference between degrees of isolation or difference in calving behavior in the different calving pens was found. However, cows experiencing a longer calving duration chose to calve in the most secluded calving pen (tall and wide). These results cannot determine cause and effect, but may suggest that interactions between motivation for isolation seeking and calving behavior exist.

For pigs, the day of slaughter involves potential animal welfare threatening elements at different stages such as pick-up pens, loading, transport, unloading, lairage and race. At present no tool for assessing the welfare of finishing pigs from farm exit to stunning is available. The present study builds on a protocol for assessment of animal welfare of finishing pigs on the day of slaughter, a protocol which was based on the structure of the Welfare Quality® protocol for finishing pigs at an abattoir. The present study aimed to develop an animal welfare index (AWI) for the day of slaughter by aggregating 25 primarily animal-based measurements based on 38 experts opinion on inter-measurement and inter-stage weights. AWIs were calculated on animal level as the weighted sums of prevalence of the measurements, and were calculated for each of the six stages: pick-up pen, loading, transport, unloading, lairage and race (AWIStage) and across the stages (AWIOverall). The AWIs were tested in 5 farms including a total of 45 fattening pigs delivered to two Danish abattoirs. Possible inter-relations between the AWI and heart rate measurements were examined. For each welfare measurement within stage, significant differences between the mean expert scores were found. However, no difference between stage weights was found. Statistically significant differences in average heart rate between stages were found: 123a (pick up pen), 139b (loading), 120a (transport), 132d (unloading), 114c (lairage) and 134bd (race) bpm, respectively, (different letters indicate differences of P

Cull sows may be more vulnerable to transportation compared to other swine categories, as they are typically culled after several production cycles, and hence may be injured or weak. Until now, transportation of sows has received very little scientific attention. We aimed to investigate whether the clinical condition of the sows changed during transportation from commercial Danish farms to slaughter plants, and to initiate identification of potential risk factors for such deterioration. This observational study included 522 sows in 47 batches from 12 farms, varying according to transportation time from farm to slaughter plant. Standardized clinical examinations were conducted on-farm and on the slaughter plant. In addition, data on transportation duration, number and duration of stops, temperature during driving, and during waiting before unloading were collected. The sows' median parity was five (range 1–11) and close to 40% were lactating at the day of transportation. The mean duration of transportation was 232 ± 113 min, and the mean temperature in the trucks was 14.1 ± 5.3°C. Half of the clinical variables recorded before and after transportation changed significantly. Among these were injuries (e.g., superficial skin lesions, totally, P < 0.000; front, P < 0.001; wounds, P < 0.001; gait score, P < 0.001), and measures possibly related to heat stress (e.g. skin elasticity, P < 0.001). Three sows arrived in a condition as legally unfit for transport. The deterioration of the sows' condition was mainly related to transportation factors, such as temperature and duration—often in interaction—as well as duration of stops during the journey and while waiting before unloading. The changes in clinical condition were less dependent on the pre-transportation clinical condition of the sows, such as parity, body condition score and gait score. The results show that the clinical condition of the cull sows deteriorated from farm to slaughter plant, thereby adding data to the debate on fitness for transport of cull sows. The main risk factors were not related to characteristics of the sows, but of the journeys. Future studies should focus on identifying and distinguishing between risk factors in order to develop procedures that allow transportation of cull sows to slaughter without jeopardizing their welfare.

Impaired walking ability in terms of slight or definite defects is more common in broiler production than lameness that obviously hinders movement, but it has received limited scientific attention. This study aimed to compare behavior of conventional broilers with impaired walking ability (assessed as gait score (GS) 2) with those walking normally (GS0) and those with only a slight gait defect (GS1). Behavior in the home environment was registered, and an analgesic intervention to quantify changes in time budgets indicating pain relief was applied. The study included 192 Ross 308 broilers. On day 27 of age, the birds were distributed as evenly as possible into birds of GS0 and GS2 of each sex based on obtained gait score. Following this, each experimental bird was housed with 3 companion birds. On days 30 and 32 of age, the behavior in the home pens was recorded. All experimental birds were injected with the NSAID carprofen on one of the 2 d and saline on the other. The statistical analyses used the GS scored on the day of recording as explanatory factor. Compared to GS0 birds, GS2 birds tended to be more inactive (mean (CI): 4,193 (3,971–4416) vs. 4,005 (3,753–4,257) s; P = 0.074), spent more time sitting while feeding (306 (266–353) vs. 213 (180–251) s; P = 0.026), were less likely to perch (probability: 0.78 (0.69–0.85) vs. 0.91 (0.85–0.95); P = 0.012), and spent less time performing comfort behavior (749 (689–814) s vs. 875 (792–967) s; P = 0.043). Compared to GS1 birds, GS2 birds spent more time inactive (GS1: 4,022 (3,818–4225) s; P = 0.027), less time foraging (289 (253–329) vs. 347 (309–388) s; P = 0.047), and were less likely to perch (GS1: 0.90 (0.86–0.93); P = 0.001). For some of these behavioral variables, administration of carprofen led to behavioral changes across the GSs, which may suggest that the behavioral expression of the broilers was limited by pain. These findings are of relevance to animal welfare, but the underlying causes are still not fully clarified.

A widespread management practice in commercial dairy farms is to stop milk production artificially commonly 2 months before expected calving, in a process termed drying-off. Dry-off management normally encompasses dietary changes as well as abrupt or gradual changes in daily milking frequency, which can compromise the welfare of modern cows. This study investigated the effects of various dry-off strategies comprising feed energy density (normal lactation diet versus energy-reduced diet, both fed for ad libitum intake) and daily milking frequency (twice versus once) from seven days prior to the day of last milking (i.e. dry-off day - D0) on the feeding motivation, feed-related attention bias and visual lateralisation towards feed of dairy cows. During two separate days (D-5 and D-2) prior to dry-off, cows on the energy-reduced diet started feeding much earlier than cows on the normal diet. No effect of daily milking frequency or interaction with feed energy density on feeding motivation were found. The increased feeding motivation induced by a low energy feed did not reflect changes in neither feed-related attention bias nor visual lateralisation towards feed. In agreement with the literature, the majority of the cows showed right eye dominance towards a feed source when feeding, corresponding to the left-brain hemisphere. Our study supports the suggestion that cows offered low energy diets show signs of hunger prior to dry-off, even when fed for ad libitum intake. The current study sheds light on the relevance of developing more animal-friendly dry-off management, as well as the importance of developing existing feed-related attention bias tests for nonhuman animals.

Across the international dairy industry, the vast majority of dairy herds have dehorned cows. Farmers choose to dehorn calves for different reasons such as easier handling of non-horned cattle and reduced risk of injuries in animals and staff. This review focuses on disbudding by use of hot-iron cautery as is practiced by dairy farmers in calves < 3 months of age. We examine welfare effects of the use of NSAIDs in combination with a local anesthetic including indicators relevant for the three major welfare concerns-affective states, basic health, and functioning as well as the possibility to behave naturally. Across indicators of animal welfare, the majority of available evidence suggest that the use of NSAIDs in combination with a local anesthetic is advantageous in terms of animal welfare, and no studies suggest that NSAIDs are a disadvantage to animal welfare. However, irrespective of the welfare concern, use of NSAIDs combined with a local anesthetic does not fully eliminate the welfare challenges from disbudding. Further research is needed in order to fully understand the effects of this medication protocol on calf welfare, including knowledge about the duration of healing and the presence of long-term pain. At present, this lack of knowledge challenges the precise formulation of adequate pain management-in terms of medication protocol, duration, dosage, and type of administration.

Cull dairy cows are typically transported to slaughter by road. Across different types of cattle, road transport is recognized as stressful. Cull dairy cows may have different injuries or weaknesses and may thus be more vulnerable to transport stress than other types of cattle. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the clinical condition of cull dairy cows deteriorates during transport ( < 8 h), and to evaluate risk factors for potential deterioration of the clinical condition. A total of 411 dairy cows were clinically examined on farm before loading and again after unloading at the slaughter plant. The clinical examination included locomotion, presence of wounds, milk leakage, and general condition. One-fifth of the cows either became lame or more lame during transport, and there was a significant increase in the proportion of lame cows after transport (41% after vs. 31% before, P < 0.0001). A significant increase in the proportion of cows with milk leakage (17% vs. 1%, P < 0.0001) and wounds (34% after vs. 22% before, P < 0.0001) after transport were also found. Low body condition score (BCS) ( < 2.75) (P = 0.001), early or late lactation [ < 100 days in milk (DIM) or > 300 DIM] (P = 0.01), digital dermatitis in the hind feet (P = 0.01), and pelvic asymmetry (P = 0.001) were identified as risk factors for the deterioration in lameness during transport. Early lactation ( < 100 DIM) (P = 0.04) and transport distance ( > 100 km) (P = 0.006) were identified as risk factors for milk leakage. For wounds, no significant risk factors were found. The results demonstrate that cull dairy cows are vulnerable to the strains of transport, even journeys shorter than 8 h, to the extent that the occurrence of clinical findings were increased after transport in cows legally considered fit for transport. These results call for further research into the animal welfare implications and optimization of cattle transport.

Cull dairy cows are transported to slaughter, but may be more vulnerable to transport stress than younger livestock. In order to ensure the welfare of cull cows during transport their fitness for transport must be assessed before transport. Lameness is a common reason for culling dairy cows, and assessing fitness for transport in lame dairy cows is a frequent task for farmers, veterinarians and livestock drivers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement within and between these three groups of professionals in relation to lameness scoring and assessment of fitness for transport. The study used an online questionnaire consisting of 30 video recordings of walking cows. Participants were asked to score lameness for each cow and assess if the cow was fit for transport or not. Weighted and unweighted kappa were used as a measure of interrater agreement within and between groups. The levels of agreement within and between the three professional groups were at best moderate. Farmers agreed less than moderate within their own group as well as compared to veterinarians and livestock drivers when assessing fitness for transport. In general, it raises concern that the level of agreement on fitness for transport was moderate or even lower. These results call for more focus on the assessment of fitness for transport, including research and possibly training of the different professional groups in order to ensure good animal welfare during transport.