Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVII, Issue 1
Written by Gabriela AMARIȚII, Andra-Sabina NECULAI-VĂLEANU, Vasile MACIUC
The objective of this study is to present the findings of a welfare assessment conducted on dairy cows reared in an intensive farming system, in a farm from the north-east of Romania. The assessment utilized well-being indices outlined in the TIERWOHL-CHECK programe, which was designed for German farmers. The results of the assessment, particularly focusing on the body condition score (BCS) of RM and late-gestation period female cows, indicate elevated percentages of overweight cows, ranging from 30.77% to 37.5%. Additionally, the prevalence of lame animals was notably high (28%, surpassing the recommended threshold of 10%). These welfare indices serve as indicators of the extent to which optimal rearing conditions are maintained, and the findings underscore the necessity for prompt interventions to enhance various aspects such as the comfort of lying spaces, the quality of bedding, and certain housing conditions. These measures are imperative for improving the overall welfare of the animals in question.
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