METABOLIC CHARACTERISTICS OF COWS ON FARMS WITH DIFFERENT WELFARE SCORE

Animal welfare is an important factor influencing the productivity and health. Modern research in the area of animal welfare includes an analysis of parameters obtained from the animals themselves on farms. The aim of this study is to investigate influence metabolic characteristic of cows on farms with different welfare score. Measuring the welfare on cow farms was conducted according to the protocol of Welfare Quality® scoring system. Experiment was included 9 farms. Each of four principles of welfare was analyzed. According to the scores of welfare, farms were divided into two groups: a group of cows with low scores (score 0-50), a group of cows with high scores (score 51-100). Difference between mean value of metabolic parameters of cows originating from farm with
low and high welfare scores were analyzed by a Student t-test. Cows from farm with lower welfare score according to principle of good housing showed a tendency to lower glucose and calcium concentration im mid lactation period. Cortisol concentration was higher in early (p<0.1) and mid lactation (p<0.05). Metabolic adaptation of cows in relation to welfare principle of good feeding showed that cows from farm with low scores showed: higher NEFA, BHB, bilirubine and cortisol concentration in early lactation. Metabolic changes in mid lactation showed tendency to higher BHB, and lower glucose and urea concentration. Cows from farm with lower welfare score according to principle of good health showed higher NEFA, BHB and cortisol and lower glucose concentration. The metabolic characteristics of cows depend on providing the principle of welfare on farms. Cows from farm with lower welfare scores showed higher cortiosl concentration and singns of metabolic stres, such as higher NEFA, BHB and bilirubin concentration
and lower concentration of glucose and urea. The most important principles, which significantly affects these characteristics, are the principles of good health and good feeding. These results show that it is possible to estimate the welfare of cows based on metabolic status, which requires further investigation.