Work

Effects of Using Mechanical Brushes on the Productive Performance of Dairy Cows

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Intensive farming can reduce production cost and maximize animal production efficiency; however, it also causes many adverse effects on the welfare of dairy cows. Mechanical brush is an automated grooming device that promotes the grooming behavior of dairy cattle, thereby helping them to alleviate stress. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of using mechanical brushes on the production performance of dairy cows by comprehensively analyzing their milk production, health status, and reproductive performance. The cows were assigned to six groups: 109 lactating dairy cows and 105 controls, 64 dry milk dairy cows and 49 controls, and 198 perinatal cows and 65 controls. Mechanical brush use was analyzed during the lactation, dry milk, and perinatal periods. Body surface cleanliness, lactation, disease incidence, and reproduction performance were assessed. Uterine involution, luteolysis, serum estradiol and progesterone levels were analyzed. We found an increasing trend in the daily utility time and usage frequency of the mechanical brush for each cow during the lactating period (7.73 ± 4.02 min/d; 2.90 ± 1.22 times/d, respectively), dry period (15.97 ± 14.16 min/d; 4.21 ± 2.91 times/d, respectively), and perinatal period (25.15 ± 19.05 min/d; 5.45 ± 3.83 times/d, respectively). The installation location of the mechanical brush significantly affected the frequency of usage during the different periods. The head was the preferred body part for using the mechanical brush during the lactation and dry periods (59.32% and 44.54%, respectively), while the hip was the main preferred grooming part during the perinatal period (40.17%). Additionally, mechanical brush use in lactating and dry dairy cows significantly improved the cleanliness of the body’s surface (P < 0.05), and enhanced milk production of lactating cows (P < 0.01), particularly for cows with 4 and 5 parities. The uterine involution rate (70%), luteolysis rate (100%), and first service conception rate (35.94%) were better in the experimental groups than in the control groups (95%, 55%, and 30.61%, respectively); however, the differences were not significant. Moreover, mechanical brush use did not significantly affect the disease incidence rates of cows or the concentration of circulating steroid hormones. Overall, the time, frequency, and preferred body part of dairy cows that used the mechanical brush varied across different physiological stages. Thus, the use of mechanical brushes has the potential to improve the production performance of dairy cows and enhance sustainable and healthy development of pasture.

Source: Veterinary Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11100481