Effect of pen floor material on the behavior of hanwoo cattle

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of three types of pen floor litter materials (sawdust, wood shavings and rice husk) on the behavior of growing Hanwoo calves. Twelve Hanwoo calves (121.4± 19.9 kg) were housed in an open barn for 6 months. Two heifers and two steers were housed in a pen on each litter treatment and two replications per each treatment were conducted. Temperature, humidity and cow behavior were observed after a 15 day adaptation period. Average daily gain was higher in winter and spring than in summer (p<0.05). Feeding behavior was significantly shorter in summer compared with other seasons (p<0.05). Lying behavior was significantly longer in cows housed on the sawdust treatment during summer (p<0.05). The frequency of self-licking and social licking behavior was higher in the spring (p<0.05) compared with other seasons. During winter, body and tail rubbing behaviors increased (p<0.05). With consideration of cattle welfare and farm budget, sawdust or wood shavings litter during spring and summer and rice husk litter during winter were regarded as the most beneficial, for optimum lying and licking behavior of Hanwoo beef cattle. Rice husk is usually cheaper during harvest compared with other seasons because of its abundance.