Behaviour during the first stage of labour in cattle: Influence of parity and dystocia

The aim of the study was to examine typical behavioural elements in suckling cows and heifers at the first stage of labour and how these are affected by parity and dystocia. For this purpose, the parturitions of 87 cattle (10 Simmental heifers; 77 multiparous cows, 55 Simmental, 21 Simmental × Limousin) were observed from the appearance of the amniotic sacs in the cervix up to the emergence of the foetal phalanges in the rima vulvae. The animals were divided into three groups: group 1—cows with eutocia, n = 68; group 2—heifers with eutocia, n = 10; group 3—cows with dystocia, n = 9.

Compared to cows, there was a lower proportion of heifers with calm behaviour, whereas a higher proportion of heifers showed pawing with the forefeet (P < 0.05).

There was a higher proportion of cows with dystocia which showed rubbing against the wall (P < 0.05), discharge of urine (P < 0.05) and scraping on the floor (P < 0.05) compared to cows with eutocia.

The differences in behaviour of cows and heifers should be considered in a system for monitoring parturition to avoid misconstruing the normal calving situation and to obviate unnecessary obstetric intervention in heifers. Behavioural elements which were more frequently detectable in cases of dystocia should draw attention to the possibility that there may be a problem in the first stage of labour.