Northampton scientist discovers proof cows go moo-dy without friends
Krista McLennan cow psychology moulton college
A SCIENTIST from Northampton has found the best way to keep cows happy is to make sure they are not split up from their friends.
Animal welfare expert, Krista McLennan is currently studying for a PhD through The University of Northampton and is a lecturer at Moulton College.
As part of her PhD studies, she has been monitoring the behaviour of cows to work out the impact of “short term isolation” on them.
Her tests saw cows separated from their herd for 30 minutes at a time, either with a cow who had been identified as one of their “close friends”, or with another cow they did not really know.
During the tests, the cow’s heart rates were monitored to see how they reacted differently when they were kept with friends and strangers.
The 27-year-old said: “If we can encourage farmers to keep an eye out for those cows which like to keep their friends with them it could have some real benefits, such as improving their milk yields and reducing stress for the animals, which is very important for their welfare.”
The scientist said her research had shown cows were very social animals which often formed close bonds with friends in their herd.
She said: “I’ve spoken to a number of farmers who have said they do notice bonds building among their cows and some spending a lot of time together.”
But modern farming practices mean cows are often separated for visits from the vet or by farmers moving their stock around.
Mrs McLennan said: “We know re-grouping cows is a problem, because there’s a high level of stress among animals as they try to integrate into a new group.”
She now hopes her suggestion that cows who like to stay with their friends when they are separated from the herd will be taken on by the dairy industry.
Chairman of the Northamptonshire branch of the National Farmer’s Union, Trevor Foss, said the research could be of real use to dairy farmers.
He added: “I’ve heard people say if you leave the radio on for the cows they’re a lot happier, so there might be something in this too.
“But I suppose cows must be a bit like humans. Some might like to be on their own while others might not.”
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Comments
There are 14 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
333mello333
Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 12:01 AMWhat sophomoric comments, from people reading an article they probably disagreed with by simply reading the title. Many animals (including 'humans') are pack animals and social by nature. Just because some don't stand on two legs and drink beer at the local pub doesn't mean they are not feeling creatures. I think that it would be more interesting to spend time with the cows than with people who think "Moo Moo" or "laught stock' are significant comments. And given the nature of the previous comments, going to a university would definitely not be a waste of anyone's time.
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Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 10:12 AMMoo Moo! I am very lonely. Can I go to University and waste everyone's time?
WagTheDog
Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 11:12 PMNice one Jackson (8). I'm trying to conjure up an image of a cow taking its dog for a walk!!!
TeddyMcnabb
Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 06:53 PMWhat a load of COWPAT! and the NFU must be the laught "stock" among dairy farmers..
mack80
Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 06:01 PMwhat a load of cows wallop I agree with Jackson
lady muck
Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 04:54 PMwilli eckaslyke...cowgal (and did the milk round too), sprout picker. Also saloon artiste, nuclear scientist, Insurance underwriter, brain surgeoness and compulsive liar.
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Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 04:46 PMYes, always be aware dairy cows protecting their young are more dangerous than Lions.. No one keeps a dairy cow on it's own. Do NOT go into a field with cows and and calves with a dog.
willi eckaslyke
Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 01:47 PMlady m.....are you telling us you were a milkmaid in yet another previous life?
lady muck
Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 01:40 PMAnybody who has worked with cows would have told you this for nothing. Can I nopw claim £XXXX for my original research that cows are aggresive when with calves and are suspicious of strangers in the milking shed....I could go on.....
a bit miffed
Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 01:03 PMAs daft as this research seems, if a happier cow produces more milk then it could prove to be quite valuable.
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Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 11:08 AMWhat a load of trollock. Put tuition fees up to £30,000 a year and these "students" may have to get a job doing something useful like shelf stacking in ther local shop.
ladypen
Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 10:59 AMso this is news????..im sure we'll all sleep better in our beds for knowing this snippet!!
donathome
Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 10:37 AMMy wife is a moody cow when left on her own
willi eckaslyke
Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 09:43 AMNice work if you can get it......I'd love to be listening in when she tells a dairy farmer that his cows like being together....If this young lady was to team up with that lot studying migration on a massive grant, they might very quickly discover that the vast majority of cows want to bugger off to Spain.
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