Social interactions among dairy cows during herd formation in
spring
Kathryn J. Bremner
Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton
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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1975, 35: 231-237
Interactions between early calving herd members and late calvers
entering the milking herd were recorded. Investigative and mild
agonistic behaviour occur irrespective of the length of time cows had
been separated, but fighting appeared to be related to the length of
separation. On average, 5% of herd members had head-to-head encounters
with entering cows from which they had been separated less than six
weeks, compared with 18% separated six or more weeks.
Two types of multiple social aggression were observed and defined -
group and supportive aggression.
Suggestions are made for minimizing disruptive social effects so that
the milking herd stabilizes rapidly in spring. This in turn may
facilitate high milk production and normal oestrous cycling in the herd.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 24-08-2000
