Abstract

The aim was to investigate whether tied dairy cows have a motivation to move per se when exercised during winter and whether they prefer to be outdoors or indoors when exercising. In the first experiment tied dairy cows were observed when exercised outdoors every day, twice a week or once a week. In the second experiment the preference of tied dairy cows for being indoors or outdoors during exercise was tested in two types of preference tests. Cows exercised at longer intervals walked and trotted more than did cows exercised at shorter intervals. The cows that were exercised once and twice a week explored the environment more during exercise than did cows that were exercised every day. The increase in movement with duration of confinement indicates that the cows’ motivation to move built up with time. An alternative explanation is that the walking and trotting was a response to the novelty of the exercise area. However, we did not observe a build-up of explorative behaviour with time. The cows did not show a preference for exercise either indoors or outdoors. Preference for being outdoors or indoors may therefore be independent of the motivation for movement. In future studies this preference may be assessed in a situation where the motivation for movement is controlled. In conclusion, tied dairy cows increased the amount of movement with increased length of indoor confinement. Also, the amount of explorative behaviour was greater for cows exercised less frequently than for cows exercised every day. Finally, tied dairy cows did not show a preference for indoor or outdoor exercise.