Conducta de la hembra bovina lechera durante el ordeño en una finca productiva en la provincia de El Oro

Abstract

Ecuador due to its biodiversity and different climatic levels, tropical zones due to their temperature conditions, milk production does not develop in the same way as in other climates, in these conditions management must be modified, animals must adapt to these conditions. The importance of animal welfare (BA), has provided that farmers use crosses of cattle to improve production and resistance to environmental conditions in our area. The objective of the present work was to characterize the behavior of the dairy female with habitual handling during the peri-milking process. This work, observational and not experimental, was developed through direct observation with filmic and photographic support on the behavioral behavior of the herd formed by cows in production, observations, developed during two consecutive days, every 15 days, corresponding to the months of June and July 2019, a total of eight observations without intervention, that is to say, without modifying the habitual conditions of the milking routine in the farm. Variables related to: eating, excretory, hygienic, social behaviour, as well as the activity related to movement, displacement and posture, in situ, in the moments of milking at the same time as the body condition and health of the flock were assessed. The results show that in pre-milking 92% of the herd is standing, 3% consumed mineral salts and 30% rumination, of these; 25% remain standing, 2% in right decubitus and 3% in left decubitus, showing respect for the order of milking to place the animals in a row (62%). The excretory behavior in pre-milking was carried out by 50% of the herd, which was found 25% of mictions and 25% in defecations, this condition being superior to the other stages. The hygienic behavior was 29%. During milking, the animals showed a very calm and docile behavior, ingesting balanced feed from local production, with 3 animals ruminating for a short time. The excretory behavior carried out by the herd in milking, 13% mictioned and 6% defecated, reflected in the stimulation of the suckling of the breeding and milking, process that had an average duration of 7 min/cow. In the post-milking the cows were related to their offspring up to the exit to the paddock, standing 71% motivated by the offspring and the suckling; 41% of the females ruminated with REM sleep phase in 2-3 cows; the presence of the offspring guarantees that the females remain standing, after this they begin to lie down after 28 minutes on average, guaranteeing the formation of the keratin stopper and the closing of the nipple sphincter. The excretory behavior in this stage was observed urination 14% and 19% defecated. 85% of the flock remained in a state of health with no apparent problem. Concluding that the management given to this herd and its close relationship with the milker, who handles them in a slow and calm way, avoiding stress in the milking stages, guarantees a state of comfort, highlighting the animal welfare.