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12 Cow Behaviours and Cow Flow

Cows have natural behaviors that should be respected for their welfare and optimal flow. They follow a walking order and have a pecking order, needing space and time to arrange themselves. Dominant cows set the pace and pressure on rear cows should be avoided. Cows respond best to a consistent routine without harsh voices or tight packing that could cause injuries.

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Gian Niotis
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28 views

12 Cow Behaviours and Cow Flow

Cows have natural behaviors that should be respected for their welfare and optimal flow. They follow a walking order and have a pecking order, needing space and time to arrange themselves. Dominant cows set the pace and pressure on rear cows should be avoided. Cows respond best to a consistent routine without harsh voices or tight packing that could cause injuries.

Uploaded by

Gian Niotis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Cow Behaviour and Cow Flow

www.lamecow.co.nz Neil Chesterton


Vet Education Transfer Services Ltd

1. Rear foot placement is almost in the same position as the front foot:
If a cow can drift at a voluntary pace the front foot will be safely placed and the rear foot
will also be placed in the same safe place. Under pressure and on slippery or painful
surfaces the rear foot steps short.
Response: Reduce herding pressure if cow are short stepping and improve walking
surfaces.

2. Cows walk and stand with their heads down:


With space for their heads to move up and down freely they can find safe foot placement,
avoid cows of higher dominance and respond to pain if they stand on a rock.
If cows heads are up either on the track or in the shed it is because they are too tightly
packed.
Response: Cows need space. Don’t force cows to bunch up tightly on the track or in the
milking shed.

3. Cows have a Pecking order:


Cows have a walking order that is slightly different to their milking order. After
entering the milking yard cows need time to rearrange themselves before they enter the
milking bails.
Response: Cows need space and time to re-arrange their position in the herd before
entering the milking parlour.

4. The majority of the dominant cows are at the front of the herd, but a significant
number are present throughout the herd including the rear group:
It is important that cows have space at all times to keep their distance and avoid forced
interaction with cows around them of similar or higher dominance.
Response: Don’t put pressure on the rear cows in the herd.

5. Dominant cows set the walking speed of the herd.


Pressure on the rear cows on the track or by the backing gate causes the rear group to
compact because they won’t overtake the dominant cows in front of them. The front
cows are almost unaffected and so don’t walk any faster - they continue at their own
speed.
Response: Don’t put pressure on the rear cows in a herd.

6. Cows follow the leaders – their movement is forward.


Under pressure lower dominance cows and heifers reverse out of tight spots. So a cow
reversing indicates too much pressure.
Response: On the track increase the distance between the herdsman and the herd. In the
milking shed the pressure will be from the backing gate.
Disclaimer: All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the material in this article, however, the use of this information is at one’s
own risk and VETSL disclaims all responsibility for losses, costs, damages etc incurred as a result of the use of the information contained in this article.
OFFICE: 18 Dudley Road Lower PHONE : +646 7568914
RD 6 Inglewood 4386 MOBILE: +6427 2217712
NEW ZEALAND EMAIL: [email protected]
7. Cows avoid bumping other cows side to side:
Dominant cows will push in among other cows when under pressure causing sideways
bumping and shoving and unplanned foot placement.
Response: Identify and reduce the cause of pressure. Cows need a minimum area for
congregating in a milking yard ( 1.3 square metres for Jerseys, 1.8 for large Holstein
Friesians)

.8. Cows respond to voices:


Cows are afraid of low, harsh voices. Calling out or whistling to cows from behind the
herd along the track keeps them moving without causing fear.
Response: Use a higher friendly tone or whistle from behind the herd along the track to
keep them moving and to call cows into the milking bails. (never a sharp gruff low
voice).

9. Cows have flight/fight distances:


Every herd is different. If a herd has never been hurt or has learned to trust you, then the
distance may be very short. If you keep behind the herd and outside the flight/ fight
distance, compaction of the rear group will be minimal
Response: Find the flight distance for your herd and always keep outside it.

10. Cows have two balance points:


Their shoulder can be used to direct them backwards or forwards, their backbone to
direct them left and right. For example coming out of the pit to gather cows puts you in
front of the shoulders and the cow turns away.
Response: Use the balance points correctly, don’t come out of the pit to gather cows.

11. High and low dominance cows use different feet to push with when responding
to pressure.
A dominant cow in a tight situation pushes sideways using the back leg closest to the
cow she is leaning against for propulsion. The white-line of the rear outer claw takes
most of the pressure. A lower dominance animal will reverse out of a tight situation
using a front foot for propulsion. The front inner white-line takes most of the pressure.
Response: Reduce herding pressure or else white-line injuries will occur.

12. Cows are creatures of habit:


Cows respond positively and flow better if they have a consistent routine. The top gate
and backing gate must be moved in the same way by all milkers or cow flow is
negatively affected.
Response: Milking must be “an exercise in contentment.” All routines must be the same
every day. Voices, herding technique, milking technique, moving the top gate and
backing gate must all be done in the same way by all milkers.

Disclaimer: All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the material in this article, however, the use of this information is at one’s
own risk and VETSL disclaims all responsibility for losses, costs, damages etc incurred as a result of the use of the information contained in this article.
OFFICE: 18 Dudley Road Lower PHONE : +646 7568914
RD 6 Inglewood 4386 MOBILE: +6427 2217712
NEW ZEALAND EMAIL: [email protected]

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