Dairy cow preference for outdoor access during winter under Eastern Canada climatic conditions

Abstract

Cows on two separate farms were submitted to a 6 d preference test, repeated four times, consisting of three 2 d phases (3 h d−1 phase−1): forced-indoor, forced-outdoor, and free-choice. A majority of cows on both farms chose to be outdoors for at least 1 h. Previous experience may have contributed to outdoor preference.