Evaluación del bienestar animal en relación con la productividad de la vaca lechera

Abstract

The objective of this research is to evaluate the level of Animal welfare in milk cattle in production. The place where it was carried out in the Experimental Farm of Irquis, property of the University of Cuenca, located in the Parish of Victoria de Portete, Canton Cuenca, province of Azuay. The time it took was 16 weeks, from February to May 2018. The parameters of evaluation of Animal Welfare were Herd behavior in grazing in their different activities (eating, drinking, resting, ruminating and sleeping) with the partial qualification of 13/20. The consumption of grass was measured taking into account these variables: dry matter, botanical composition, nutritional requirements, balanced and with a partial qualification of 15/20. The water consumption is based on sub-parameters such as water quality, number of drinkers, water availability, drinking capacity, with a rating of 12/20. Was evaluated in the process of milking with: distance, transfer speed and milking duration, behavior the herd in the milking room, milking equipment, facilities and tests of CMT, with a rating of 11/20. The reproduction parameter is evaluated with: service by conception, open days, births and birthrate, abortion and mortality, empty cows and infrastructure, with a rating of 11/20. The sum of these values gives 62/100. The Animal Welfare level is VERY GOOD in these cows in milk production