Automatic milking: Systematic influences on behaviour of dairy cows in the waiting area and their visit frequency to the AMS

Behaviour of cows housed in a loose barn and milked with an automatic milking system (AMS) was studied. Investigations were carried out during a period of 3(1)/(2) month with an AMS of the company DeLaval named Voluntary Milking System (VMS). Behaviour observations were conducted on 42 cows in the waiting area in front of the VMS by real time and video observation. The number of total visits to the VMS was 5.3 per day, 3.2 of these were visits for milking. The number of total visits to the VMS was influenced by different factors like, time, day in system, lactation stadium lactation, number and milk performance. 70% of all visits for milking were voluntary. In 59% of all visits to the waiting area cows went into the VMS. In 41% of all visits the cows returned back to the resting area. Most cows did not show any aggressive behaviour during their visits to the waiting area, only in 5% of all visits aggressive behaviour occurred. The average waiting time for cows standing in front of the VMS was 6.30 min. This time was significantly influenced by day time, day in system, lactation stadium, milk performance and leaving direction.