Urban and peri urban dairying is an intensive dairy production system close to the markets wherein production requirements of animals like feeding, breeding, healthcare etc are provided completely in the stall. However, welfare issues of the animals are seriously compromised with respect to housing (flooring, bedding etc), movement and dimensions of the stall.
The demand for dairy products due to huge urban population and high income levels resulted in more urban / peri-urban dairy farms with an average herd size of 15-20 high yielding buffaloes / cross-bred cows. Out of 302.34 million dairy animals in India, approximately 30 % (91 million) are reared under intensive systems in urban / peri-urban areas, and they are the ones suffering the poorest welfare.
The average lifespan of a buffalo or cow is between 18-20 years, but it can live up to 25 years if given a natural healthy life. However, in urban dairying, their lifespan is very much shorter due to intense suffering and compromised animal welfare. They are sold to slaughter houses or replaced typically after four or five lactations due to the following main reasons among others:
· Drop in milk production
· Chronically lame
· Infertile
· Mastitis
Housing and lighting is a major welfare issue for dairy animals in urban / periurban areas. As land availability is less, more animals are confined in crowded environment with poor ventilation, high humidity, inadequate lying space, hard and wet floors. These conditions further increase the risk and spread of infection like mastitis and lameness.
Feed and fodder is another welfare issue. Dairy animals require lots of fibre in their diet. Animals raised in grazing systems and semi-intensive systems receive diet high in fibre. However animals kept under intensive systems are fed with less forages and more concentrate (nutrient dense) diet to increase both milk production and milk fat. This leads to metabolic acidosis, diarrhea and painful laminitis.
The major animal welfare issues of the urban dairy animals are
· Behavioural restrictions - tying with a rope or chain to restrict movement for most of the time.
· Overcrowding and compromised housing with less space per animal.
· Compromised environment, hygiene and ventilation with hardly any sunlight.
· Zero grazing and no exercise.
· Heat stress and poor physiological support to match the production.
· Low fiber diet and overfeeding of concentrates to increase milk production and milk fat, leading to metabolic disorders.
· Lameness, Mastitis and Infertility.
· Minimal access to veterinary care.
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