Survey on housing, management and welfare of dairy cattle in tie-stalls in western Italian Alps

Abstract

In the Alps, the traditional breeding system for dairy cattle is based on the alternation between a free-ranging period on mountain ranges during the summer, and an indoor period in tie-stalls in the winter. Several welfare issues may arise in tie-stall housing systems. We describe the situation in 47 farms in three villages in western Italy, trying to identify possible relationships among structural and management characteristics, animal health and behaviour traits. A long duration of the grazing period, associated with frequent manure removal during the housing period, are probably key factors for limiting the occurrence of lameness. Teat trauma is more common in narrower stalls. Getting-up behaviour is unnatural in most of the visited farms. Some lack in the farmers’ knowledge of animal behaviour was noted. Some structural and management characteristics are strictly related to geographical constraints. However, circumstances permitting, some expedients may be achieved for improving welfare levels.

Keywords:

• Dairy cows
• housing system
• tethering, behaviour
• Italian Alps

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all the farmers who answered to our questionnaires and to Professor Roberto Todeschini for his assistance with statistical analysis.