The Welfare of Cattle in Different Housing Systems
Simple Summary
Abstract
1. Introduction
- The article concerned the welfare of cattle in a variety of housing systems, including extensive, intensive, freestall, and tethering systems.
- The article detailed the impact of the housing system on the behaviour, health, and performance of the animals, taking into account factors such as living space, social interactions, access to pasture, and nutritional conditions.
- The article included an analysis of stereotyped behaviour in cattle and methods of environmental enrichment to improve welfare.
- The article presented the results of research on the impact of the housing system on the relationship between mothers and calves and the structure of the herd hierarchy.
2. Welfare of Cattle in Different Housing Systems
2.1. The Importance of Social and Maternal Bonds
2.1.1. Separation of Calves
2.1.2. Extensive Housing System
2.1.3. Intensive Housing System
2.2. Comparison of Intensive Housing Systems
2.2.1. Restrictions and Freedom of Movement
2.2.2. Animal Hygiene
2.2.3. Mobility and Social Interaction
2.2.4. Access to Water
2.2.5. Psychological Well-Being
2.2.6. Monitoring Health
2.3. Extensive Housing System—Eating Behaviour and Physical Activity
2.3.1. Grazing
2.3.2. Rest
2.3.3. Physical Activity
2.3.4. Social Relationships
2.4. Impact of the Housing System on Animal Health and Performance
2.4.1. Bedding—Types
2.4.2. Alternative Bedding Material
3. Main Welfare Issues for Cattle
3.1. Stocking Density
3.2. Lack of Access to Pasture
3.3. Improper Nutrition
3.4. Illness
3.5. Calving
3.6. Socialisation
4. The Effect of Breed on Cattle Welfare
5. Approaches to Enriching the Environment
5.1. Physical Space
5.2. Socialisation
5.3. Nutrition
5.4. Brushes and Stimulating Elements
5.5. Enriching the Environment and Psychological Stimulation
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Aspect | Free-Living Cattle | Beef Cattle Extensive System | Beef Cattle Intensive System | Dairy Cattle |
---|---|---|---|---|
The mother–calf bond | Close bond between mothers and adult daughters | Good bond between mothers and adult daughters | Mothers and daughters often separated | Mothers and daughters often separated |
Social bonds of calves | Close social bonds between calves | Close social bonds between calves | Calves often raised in technological groups | Calves often raised individually |
Age structure in the herd | Complex age structure in herds with long-term ties between individual animals | Complex age structure in flocks | New animals frequently introduced into the herd. | Selection and new animals frequently introduced into the herd. |
Behaviour of mother and calf | Cows and calves always stay together | Cows and calves stay together | Cows and calves are often housed separately | Usually, calves are separated from their mothers immediately after birth |
Access to pasture | Permanent access to pasture | Permanent access to pasture or from spring to late autumn | Often no access to pasture | Often no access to pasture |
Hierarchy in the herd | Herd, hierarchy | Herds, looser structure | Groups, limited interaction between individuals | Groups, segregation |
Space and natural behaviour | Free movement, ability to express natural behaviour | Sufficient space for basic natural behaviour | Limited space, limited possibility to express natural behaviour | Limited space, limited possibilities to express natural behaviour |
Social interaction | Social interaction frequent, varied | Social interactions frequent but less diverse | Social interaction limited | Social interaction limited |
Disease resistance | Good immunity, diseases rare | Lower immunity, parasitic diseases | Increased susceptibility to disease | Frequent metabolic diseases and mastitis |
Stereotypic behaviour | Stereotypic behaviour rare | Stereotypic behaviour rare | Stereotypic behaviour frequent | Stereotypic behaviour frequent |
Access to rest areas | Ample space for free movement | More space, but more restricted than wild cattle | Limited space, often restricted to barns or small paddocks | Limited space, often restricted to barns or small paddocks |
Stress level | Stress level low, no human intervention | Stress level low but dependent on conditions (e.g., feed, space) | Stress level high, caused by barn conditions | Medium to high stress level, dependent on conditions and milking method |
Staffing | little | little | a lot | a lot |
Rest | Long periods of rest in natural conditions | Rest during the day, but conditions may be limited | Limited access to resting space, often uncomfortable conditions | Limited access to resting space, often uncomfortable conditions |
Social interaction with humans | Lack of human interference in social interactions, natural social structures | Sufficient interaction with other animals, low human interference | High human intervention, frequent human interaction | Interaction with humans related to milking and handling |
Environmental conditions | Natural environmental conditions, adequate temperature and ventilation | Under natural conditions, access to cover in winter | High risk of inadequate ventilation and temperature in intense conditions | High risk of inadequate ventilation and temperature in intense conditions |
Form of Enrichment | Description | Example | Aim |
---|---|---|---|
Social | Interaction with other individuals or species | Contact with other individuals of the same species, interaction with keepers, observation of other animals | Stress reduction, stimulation of social behaviour, development of communication skills |
Physical | Modifications to the physical environment | Changing the size of the enclosure, adding various objects to the barn (e.g., chiropody, rubber chain, artificial teats) | Stimulating physical activity, providing opportunities to explore the environment |
Nutrition | Feed manipulation | Hiding food, feeding in different containers (e.g., hay net), play feeding | Stimulating the senses, encouraging active foraging |
Activity | Mentally stimulating tasks | Development of cognitive abilities, reduction in boredom | |
Sensorial | Stimulation of the senses | Sounds, smells, variety of materials | Visual, audio, olfactory, and tactile stimulation |
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Pilarczyk, B.; Pilarczyk, R.; Bąkowska, M.; Tomza-Marciniak, A.; Seremak, B.; Kwita, E.; Juszczak-Czasnojć, M.; Matusevičius, P.; Mišeikienė, R. The Welfare of Cattle in Different Housing Systems. Animals 2025, 15, 1972. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15131972
Pilarczyk B, Pilarczyk R, Bąkowska M, Tomza-Marciniak A, Seremak B, Kwita E, Juszczak-Czasnojć M, Matusevičius P, Mišeikienė R. The Welfare of Cattle in Different Housing Systems. Animals. 2025; 15(13):1972. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15131972
Chicago/Turabian StylePilarczyk, Bogumiła, Renata Pilarczyk, Małgorzata Bąkowska, Agnieszka Tomza-Marciniak, Beata Seremak, Ewa Kwita, Marta Juszczak-Czasnojć, Paulius Matusevičius, and Ramutė Mišeikienė. 2025. "The Welfare of Cattle in Different Housing Systems" Animals 15, no. 13: 1972. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15131972
APA StylePilarczyk, B., Pilarczyk, R., Bąkowska, M., Tomza-Marciniak, A., Seremak, B., Kwita, E., Juszczak-Czasnojć, M., Matusevičius, P., & Mišeikienė, R. (2025). The Welfare of Cattle in Different Housing Systems. Animals, 15(13), 1972. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15131972