Behavior of Bali Cows at Different Reproduction Phase that Kept in Oil Palm Environment

Abstract

Cows will be productive if they live in the suitable environment. The suitability of the environment for the cows can be identified from their behavior. This study was conducted to observe the behavior of Bali cows in the area of oil palm plantations in Rokhan Hulu District, Riau Province, Indonesia, at the different reproduction phase. Twelve heads of Bali cows which were consisted of pregnant (n=4), lactating (n=4) and dry-open (n=4) cows were used in this study. The animals were observed their behaviors as long as 24 hours for 7 consecutive days. The data collected were the behavior of eating, lying down, standing, rumination, the frequency of feeding, the frequency of drinking, the frequency of lying down, urination, and defecation. The environmental parameters included light intensity, temperature, and humidity was observed at 06:00, 12:00, 18:00 and 24.00 for 12 consecutive days. Feed Consumption (intake) was too measured with ad libitum method in 7 days. The data collected were analyzed using one-way analysis of variances. The daily light intensity was ranging from 0,1 to 14.463,9 lux, the temperature was ranging from 25,1 to 38,4°C, and the humidity was ranging 46,4 to 90,5%. The eating, lying, standing, and rumination time and frequency of pregnant, lactation, dry-open cows were 8.1±0.9, 8.1±0.8, and 7.9±0.1 hours/day; 10.8±1.1, 10.5±1.4, and 10.1±1.3 times/day; 10.4±1.4, 10.3±1.0, and 9.9±1.0 hours/day, 8.5±1.2, 10.0±1.2, and 8.4±1.3 times/day; 13.6±1.4, 13.7±1.0, and 14.1±1.0 hours/day, 8.8±1.0, 10.2±0.8, and 8.7±1.4 times/day; and 6.7±0.9, 6.7±1.0, and 7.2±0.4 hours/day, respectively. The frequency of drinking, urination, and defecation of pregnant, lactation, dry-open cows were 4.4±0.7, 6.3±2.8, and 4.1±1.3 times/day; 5.4±2.7, 8.5±1.2, and 6.0±1.8 times/day; and 5.2±0.8, 6.5±0.9, and 5.5±0.4 times/day, respectively. The behavior of Bali cows at all reproduction phase was in the normal range. It is concluded that the environment of oil palm plantations in Rokhan Hulu district, Riau Province, Indonesia is suitable for the Bali cows to live.