Effect of Relocation on Parlor Behaviors and Stress in Jerseys and Holsteins

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of relocation on measures of cow behavior and blood traits in Jerseys and Holsteins. Cows were allocated to an area where the breeds were housed after relocation (n = 22 Holsteins and 22 Jerseys). Milking parlor behaviors measured were cow reactivity and latency to enter the parlor. Milk yields, plasma cortisol, and white blood cells were also measured. Cow reactivity was scored to define behavior during udder preparation, claw fitting, and milking. Latency to enter the parlor was the time necessary for each cow to enter the milking parlor and data were grouped by period (PER) with d -14 and -4 as PER 1; d 0 (relocation date) as PER 2; d 1 and 2 as PER 3; and d 5, 7, and 14 as PER 4 for blood measures. For behavior measures, d −7 and −1 were in PER 1; d 0 were in PER 2; d 1 and 2 were in PER 3; and d 7 and 14 were in PER 4. Latency to enter the parlor was longer for Holsteins (8.9 ± 0.7 s; P < 0.01) than Jerseys (5.6 ± 0.8 s). Holsteins had higher cortisol (6.9 ± 0.7 vs. 4.8 ± 0.6 ng/mL; P < 0.05) than Jerseys, yet Jersey p.m. milk production during PER 2 decreased more dramatically than that of Holsteins (P < 0.01); first lactation cows had less decline in milk yield than older cows (22 vs. >28%; P < 0.05). Relocation did not create a prolonged stress, but overall, it caused anxiety and cows quickly adapted to the new facility.