Table 1 Body positions and behaviours recorded during direct observations, and their definitions
From: Changes in dairy cows’ behaviour, health, and production after transition from tied to loose housing
Behaviour | Definitions |
|---|---|
Body positions | |
Standing | Standing with all four hooves on the floor |
Lying | Without support of any leg and with the belly in contact with the floor |
Walking | Placing one hoof forward and down on the floor thus moving the body in the walking or eating area |
General behaviours | |
Eating | Head down close to TMR or chewing while standing at the feed face |
Drinking | Head down close to water or muzzle in contact with water |
Ruminating | Regurgitating or chewing on regurgitated bolus |
Sleeping | Lying down on the side or on the belly, not ruminating, head up or turned to the side or stretched out forward, eyes closed or half closed |
Grooming | Tongue repeatedly in contact with the cow’s own body |
Exploring | Nose or tongue in contact with, or within 10 cm of, fittings |
Looking | Eyes directed towards a certain point and ears turned forward in the same direction |
Social behaviours | |
Social licking | Tongue repeatedly in contact with the body of another cow |
Mounting | Placing the front legs and breastbone on the back of another cow |
Pushing and butting | Putting the head against the body of another cows’ head or sides and using some force to move that animal |
Vocalising | High-pitched open mouth calls |
Abnormal behaviours | |
Tongue rolling | Rolling movements performed by the tongue not connected to eating, drinking or licking |
Nose pressing | Pressing the nose against farm equipment for a period of more than 10 s |