Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

In this study, two cow traffic systems in automatic milking system (AMS) were observed to evaluate the effects on cow behaviour and also efficiency of barn design. First system (F barn)was Free Cow Traffic where the cows had to pass through the milking station (MS) to enter concentrate area (CA) and the roughage was available in the cubicle troughs. The second system (E barn) was a Forced Cow Traffic with selecting gate and waiting area (WA) and the cows had to pass the selecting gate to enter either WA then MS and finally feeding area (FA) or directly to FA. In this system concentrate troughs were placed in the FA. In each system,
behaviours of cows were observed directly for 72 hours. All the interactions between cows in the different areas of the barn were registered and the cubicles conditions (free, occupied and in F barn availability of roughage in the troughs) were registered with 60 minutes intervals. The time spent in CA and WA and dominance value showed a contrary relation (P<0.055) while time spent in waiting line (WL) and dominance value had no significant relation.