Cows need to sleep for a certain amount of time during the day. Although we usually see cows spending time standing up, it is important to keep in mind that there are some factors that affect their sleep. One might think that cows sleep standing up due to stressors such as lameness and heat. But there may be different reasons behind this. There is no record of how cows sleep under normal conditions.
The sleep status of cows is closely related to their feed consumption and resting behaviors. Studies have shown that cows prefer to sleep instead of consuming feed if their resting behavior is negatively affected. In addition, the resting time of cows also changes accordingly. In addition, it has been shown that an increase in resting time has a direct positive effect on hourly milk production.
Cows spend most of their time sleeping and chewing the cud and perform four different processes during the day. These are water and feed consumption, milking and sleeping. A healthy cow sleeps at least 12 hours a day and spends half of this time chewing the cud.
How Do Cows Sleep?
The sleeping position and habits of cows are very important for their welfare and health. It is known that cows, which should sleep for a minimum of 4 hours a day, rest for an average of 12-14 hours. During sleep, cows usually sit with their front legs resting on their elbows, thus putting most of their body weight on their front elbows. The back legs fall on their knees and the sleeping process begins. This way of sleeping allows cows to rest in the most comfortable position.
Sleeping comfort is also important for cows. The softness of stall floors and bedding is actually linked to sleep patterns. Clean and soft bedding should be preferred instead of rough and hard surfaces that negatively affect the sleep quality of cows. These factors significantly reduce the stress level of cows. In addition, when a suitable bedding arrangement is established, sleep duration increases, while comfortable rest and quality production process are positively affected.
It is important that cows, which spend most of their resting time chewing the cud, are in a suitable environment to observe their sleeping habits. Cows that have difficulty sleeping or stay awake for too long actually do not have suitable housing conditions. As a result, the resting and sleeping patterns of cows should be handled carefully for both their productivity and health.
Does a cow sleep standing up?
Cows that usually sleep lying down can sometimes fall asleep standing up. When we look at the reasons for sleeping lying down;
- The need for a soft bed is always present.
- They prefer to sleep with an average of two-thirds of their body weight resting on their front elbows.
- In this sleeping position, the elbows fall freely from a height of 25-30 cm.
Reasons why cows sleep standing up;
- Illness due to a number of diseases
- Spending time standing up instead of chewing the cud when he should be sleeping
- Dissatisfaction with the environment and atmosphere of the shelter area.
A suitable environment should be prepared for cows to sleep comfortably and healthily. Cows that can freely drop their elbows up to 30 cm can sleep painlessly if they wish. However, they should have a soft bedding. In addition, it is possible to see how fast cows sleep in an environment and whether they are actually satisfied or not.
How Much Sleep Does a Cow Get in a Day?
The net number of hours a cow sleeps per day is uncertain. Depending on living conditions, cows can sleep up to 14 hours a day, but on average they sleep between 9-12 hours. They need to ruminate for half of the sleeping time. When they are not asleep, cows consume food and water and also go for milking.
How do cows feel comfortable in the barn?
There are several factors that make cows comfortable in the barn. The most important of these is adequate ventilation. It is also known that cows that are comfortable to walk spend more time during the day. Dry walking areas, the health of their hooves and their walking steps also make them comfortable in the barn.
When cows are comfortable walking, they move more. This means more safe footing, good heat and better hoof health. It should be known that cows that need a non-slip surface are more comfortable on concrete walkways. However, it should be remembered that during the day, a hygienic and airy environment should always be provided during their stay in the barn.
- Selection of suitable litter: When cows sleep, most of their weight is carried by the joints. if the floor of the stall is hard and uneven, the cows' comfort is disturbed. In addition, cows cannot sleep as painlessly as they would like in this process.
- Movement space: Cows should have a wide range of movement. In this way, all types of lying positions can be achieved.
- Hygiene: In order for cows to have a comfortable time in the barn, hygiene must be very important. A tidy and clean barn will bring both health and happiness. In addition, the spread of diseases is also prevented.
- Proper ventilation system: It is the most important factor in ensuring the welfare of cows. Especially in regions with humid and hot climates in summer, it is essential to use appropriate systems. Nowadays, natural ventilation conditions are inadequate and the lack of fresh air coming into the barn from outside also makes the cows uncomfortable. On the other hand, gas and humidity in the barn must be dispersed to make room for outside air.
Purposes of use of barn ventilation systems;
- Providing sufficient and fresh air for cows
- Providing the oxygen needed
- Reducing ammonia emissions
- Reducing the heat effect of the sun's rays reaching the shelter
- Ensuring that excess water vapor is removed from the barn
- Removing germs and dust
- It is listed as removing harmful gases formed by the fermentation of feces from the barn.
Covered barn buildings are constantly damp. This dampness needs to be removed from the environment as soon as possible. With a quality ventilation system, dust, gas and moisture levels in the barn can be reduced to an acceptable level. Gases, acids and dusts react with the moisture released in the barn. In this case, the corrosion rate increases rapidly. Bacterial colonies in barns also cause the growth of bacteria and are effective in the production of harmful acids. On the other hand, excessive moisture will condense on the barn ceiling and drip. This creates a serious moisture wave and makes the cows seriously uncomfortable.
Today's businesses do not use ventilation systems in barns due to savings. However, this reduces the ventilation speed and increases the temperature and humidity level of the barn. Alternatively, humidity can be reduced by choosing fan ventilated barns. In this way, animals continue to spend time in a much healthier and more comfortable environment.
As cows breathe in and out, they release a large amount of moisture into their environment. Ventilation of this moisture is essential. As we mentioned, high humidity wets all substances in the environment and increases the potential for condensation. Consequently, when ammonia emission occurs, it combines with moisture and forms ammonium hydroxide, a chemical substance. Barn ventilation systems should be preferred to remove this substance or other harmful gases, which are harmful to the health of cows, from the environment. Although these systems are responsible for the supply of fresh air in the barns, it should be remembered that successfully designed ventilation applications always provide more efficiency. In other words, cows living in a clean environment will ensure that they continue to live in a healthier and more productive way.