The effects of different production systems on wealth (comfort) measurements made by direct observations in Adana dairy goat facilities

In this study, on-farm welfare assessment protocols were applied to ensure that farm animal welfare issues are appropriately identified and addressed. On-farm and animal-based indicators of animal welfare levels were conducted in dairy goat farms in Adana province using practical and easy-to-use animal welfare assessment scoring that accurately reflects the welfare of animals. The effects of animal welfare measurements made by direct observations on different production systems (intensive, extensive and semi-intensive) were analyzed. In all three production systems, the number of animals with a body condition score of 3 was higher than the others. A high number of moderate asymmetry (one half of the udder is obviously smaller than the other half) (16.67%) was observed in all farms. The highest number of moderate asymmetry was observed in the semi-intensive system. The rates of low callus on the knee in semi-intensive system, moderate callus on the knee in extensive system and severe callus on the knee in extensive system are high. In the general cleanliness of the animals, contamination was high in the animals in the holdings with extensive system. Nasal and vulva discharge is most common in semi-intensive system. Long nails were observed mostly in animals in the intensive system. Asymmetry in the udder and udder lesions were found mostly in semi-intensive system. In the study, the welfare levels of animals in the operations of different production systems were found at different rates in determining the welfare problems in dairy goat herds. Therefore, it was concluded that further examination of the operational structure and animal-based welfare indicators of different production systems could be a valuable contribution for further research in the development of a welfare assessment protocol for dairy goats. Keywords: Dairy goat, animal welfare, production systems, intensive, semi-intensive, extensive