Alternative practices in organic dairy and broiler production and their effects on animal behavior, health, and welfare

Abstract

The animal welfare of organic livestock is a major interest among producers, the public, researchers, and veterinarians. This dissertation presents the results from 5 experiments conducted between 2016 and 2020 on a research farm at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris. The experiments were designed to investigate novel practices in organic livestock production and their potential efficacy on improving animal welfare. These results include information on the efficacy of herbal pain management therapies for disbudded dairy calves, methods to prevent distress and mastitis in transitioning dairy heifers, efficacy of broilers to control face fly larva, and effects of outdoor stocking density on behaviors of free-range broilers. To summarize the results of ineffective practices, the tested herbal tincture did not reduce pain in disbudded calves, white willow bark did not reduce inflammatory biomarkers in calves, and broiler chickens did not reduce the survival of face fly larva in cow manure. To summarize the results of effective practices, teat dipping and acclimating heifers to the milking parlor 3 weeks prior to calving improved milking behaviors and reduced Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infections in heifers over the first 3 days after calving. Furthermore, additional outdoor space for free-broiler chickens reduced aggressive attacks and reduced some rarely observed behaviors that are akin to discomfort. To conclude, experiments on the novel topics discussed in this dissertation serve as a foundation for future comprehensive investigations related to practices that affect the animal welfare of organic livestock.