Dairy & Aggressive Behavior

Dairy cows are raised in order to produce milk for human consumption. Dairy cows are bred to be fairly sociable animals, but improper care of these animals can lead to aggressive behavior in dairies. Dairy farmers must take into consideration living conditions, feed and lactation when trying to control aggressive behavior in dairy cows.

  1. Ketosis

    • Bovine ketosis can lead to a lack of coordination and aggression in cattle. During early lactation of dairy cows, the conversion of adipose (fat) tissues to produce milk can put strain on the animals. Between 5 and 16 percent of all dairy cows lactating in a herd will be affected by ketosis. Dairy cows will become dehydrated and hyperactive, sometimes bellowing. Dextrose (sugar) solution is usually administered to restore proper blood sugar levels to the animal.

    Housing

    • Many dairy cows are kept in single pens while they are producing milk. Highly productive dairy cows rest for 14 hours a day. A lack of stall room for a cow can lead to stress and aggressive behavior. Dairy cows are sociable animals, spending two to three hours a day interacting with other members of the herd. Allowing dairy cows plenty of room to interact with other cows reduces stress.

    Feed

    • Lactating dairy cows have a very aggressive feeding drive, because these animals need to consume large amounts of grain and water each day to replace the energy lost from milk production. Providing unlimited access to feed and water reduces aggression in these animals. Many dairy farmers use a feed barrier in order to prevent contamination of food supplies, with the feed barrier consisting of metal bars. Cows can put more than 500 pounds of pressure on improperly designed feed barriers, with 225 pounds of pressure enough to cause tissue damage. Allowing dairy cows to have easier access to food reduces tissue damage and aggressive behavior.

    Density

    • Cattle form naturally social hierarchies in nature. Stocking over 100 dairy cows in the same area can lead to aggressive behavior, as cows have difficulty recognizing members of larger groups. Stocking cows in a small area, even with unlimited feed, leads to increased aggression for resources. Increased competition leads to lower milk production as dairy cows compete for a higher place in the social order.

    Calving

    • Most dairy farmers take calves away from the mother shortly after birth in order to sell the calves for veal, to raise them for the secondary meat market, or to raise heifers to increase their herds. Dairy cattle are bred to have less of a protective instinct towards their offspring than beef cattle. Even so, dairy cows left to range grasslands will set up sophisticated hierarchies if order to protect their calves. Cows will defend their offspring, which can make handling heifers and calves difficult.