Fig. 1

Sampling scheme. A The transition time is denoted with a double vertical line, crosses mark sampling days; grey bars with roman numerals denote behavioural and lameness observation periods, dotted line the time of milking change. Milk denotes test-day milk samples and health denotes observations of body condition score, skin alterations, carpal and tarsal alterations and udder alterations, and general cleanliness at the cow level. Lameness and behaviour were registered at group level. B Time distribution of behavioural observations per day for four groups of cows (the cows were fed twice a day at 8.30 and 12.00 h, and milked initially twice a day at 4.00 and 20.00 h, and subsequently three times per day at 4.00, 12.00 and 20.00 h)