Novel enrichment reduces boredom-associated behaviors in housed dairy cows

Abstract

There is currently societal interest and concern for dairy cow welfare. It has been suggested that boredom poses a welfare issue for dairy cows, particularly when presented with extended disposable time in housed environments that lack stimuli. Farm animals experience a multitude of affective states, which has created a need for positive experiences to be included in welfare management. Environmental enrichment can reduce boredom and facilitate positive experiences; however, the research in cows is limited. To assess the behavioral impact of a simple enrichment on commercially housed dairy cows, we provided 24-h access to a novel object, for 3 wk, for 2 separate groups of cows. Two boredom-associated behaviors significantly decreased when the object was present compared with when it was not present: “idling” behavior and unsuccessful robotic milking attempts (“refusals”). In addition, there was a significant increase in the occurrence of self-grooming during treatment weeks, when the novel object was present. These results suggest that idling and refusals may be behavioral indicators of boredom in dairy cows.