An on-farm investigation of beef suckler herds using an animal welfare index (AWI)

BMC Veterinary Research

Table 2 Indicators in the AWI of the "Social interactions" category and the definitions used for rating and their maximum individual score.

Score	a). Space allowance			b). Grouping	c). Rest areas	d). Calving method	e). Weaning method	f). Outdoor access	g). Grazing time (days per year)
	Slats	Loose housing	Tether systems
	(m ² /AWU) ¹	(m ² /AWU) ¹	Movement of tether (m)
3		> 7.5
2.5		> 6.5							> 270
2		> 5.5		Family herd					> 230
1.5		> 4.5		Herd without bull					> 180
1	> 3	> 4	> 0/6/0.4	Same age No regroup		Separate pen Visual Contact	Visual contact Gradual	Yes All of the time	> 120
0.5	2<X² < 3		> 0.4/0.3		Yes			Yes Partially	> 50
0	< 2	< 4	< 0.4/0.3	Minimal Regroup/age mix	No	Separate pen No visual contact	Visual contact Abrupt	No
0.5				Frequent Regroup/age mix		In pen with other animals	No visual contact

¹Animal Weight Unit (AWU); 1 AWU = 500 kg live weight. X² represents the observed value (X) between 2 and 3 m²/AWU. In tether systems, the first figure refers to back and forth movements, the second to lateral movement. a). Refers to the space allowance; only one type of system is scored; if different systems were found on-farm, each system must be scored independently b). Family herd consist of suckler cows with male and female calves, heifers and steers of the same family and integrated bulls. The total social interactions score (column 1) equals to the sum of columns a). b). c). d). e). f). and g).