Changes in eating time in dairy cows during the transition period

Abstract

The number of cows on farms is increasing and less time is available to monitor cattle individually around the time of calving. The aim of this study was to investigate if it is possible to predict approaching parturition in cows based on their eating pattern as determined with a sensor, the Nedap Smarttag Neck. Furthermore, postpartum the difference in the eating/licking behaviour between heifers and older cows and influence of time of parturition on licking behaviour were investigated. The final objective was to determine if feeding time, as recorded with the Nedap Smarttag Neck, can be used to demonstrate that the calf is born. Mean time eating showed a circadian rhythm. A decline in time spent eating was observed from ten days antepartum and an even stronger decline was seen in the last four days before calving. A striking increase in time spent eating is registered in the first two hours post partum. The peak in time spent ‘eating’ is actually the licking of the calf. There was no difference in licking/eating behaviour between heifers and multiparous cows and there was no difference in licking/ eating behaviour between groups cows classified on time of calving. Mean time eating per two hours could be used as one of the parameters to predict the time of parturition or to demonstrate that the calf is born, but for a reliable attention, more behavioural parameters need to be combined. Lying behaviour and ruminating activity could be a good addition. So electronic data loggers that register time spent feeding could be useful tools to assist management in the periparturient period but further study is necessary.