Behavioural risk factors associated with abnormal health in dairy cattle: A review

Abstract

Changes in living organisms’ internal environment are generally expressed by behavioural signs, which
reflect the health status of animals and considered as true indicator of illness. In traditional animal husbandry
system, the simple way to recognize the illness in animals only when they become depressed or off fed.
Changes of feeding, drinking/suckling, lying, standing, social and rumination behaviour can be helpful
for early prediction or identification of abnormal health in dairy cattle. Tail raising, pawing, restlessness,
looking back to abdomen, hunching of back, rubbing against wall and urination behaviour can predict the
incidence of dystocia in dairy cows. In addition, walking/stepping, turning head against udder and self
grooming behaviour also alter in cows and can be helpful for early prediction or identification of abnormal
health. Validation of disease specific behavioural risk factors using automatic electronic monitoring system
in a particular farm with defined housing design and management practices can improve the accuracy of
prediction or identification of cows that are going to develop ill health. Therefore, managemental interventions
at proper time based on behaviour change can be utilized as effective means to reduce the subsequent
abnormal health in dairy cattle.
Key words: Behavioural risk factors, Dairy cattle, Disease, Management intervention