Impact of farm size on dairy animal health and behaviour welfare scores in Karnataka

Abstract

This study was undertaken to compare the impact of farm size on dairy farm feeding welfare scores in Karnataka, India. A total of 401 adult crossbred cattle in 60 dairy farms of Karnataka were considered. The farms were grouped into three different categories based on adult herd size i.e., small, medium and large as per the prevailing dairy cattle holding in the region. The mean scores of the welfare indicator ‘Average productivity’ in small, medium and large dairy farms, out of total score of 8, was 5.60, 4.75 and 5.70, respectively. The mean scores of the welfare indicator ‘Body Condition Score’ and ‘Cow Cleanliness Score’ in small, medium and large dairy farms, out of total score of 4, was, 1.00, 2.25 and 2.85, and 0.90, 0.25 and 0.50, respectively. The mean scores of the welfare indicator ‘Cow Comfort Index’ in small, medium and large dairy farms, out of total score of 5, was 3.55, 3.05 and 3.05, respectively. The mean scores of the welfare indicator ‘Hock Injury Score’ and ‘Human-Animal Relationship’ in small, medium and large dairy farms, out of total score of 3, was 0.05, 0.00 and 0.1, and 1.30, 1.60 and 1.35, respectively. The mean scores of the welfare indicator ‘Lameness Score’ and ‘Mastitis incidence’ in small, medium and large dairy farms, out of total score of 4, was 3.90, 3.75 and 3.45, and 1.60, 1.45 and 1.20, respectively. The overall mean animal health welfare score of small, medium, large, dairy farms, out of total score of 40, was 22.25 ± 0.801, 20.90 ± 0.839, 21.824 ± 0.206, respectively, with no significant differences between groups.