author(s)
C Dutta, RJ Deka, TK Amonge, M Bhuyan, JR Bora, N Bezbarua and JP Chutia

abstract
The behavioral response to the selected micro environment is one of the important tools for scientific assessment of welfare of the dairy animals. The study was conducted in 5 number of soil bedded sheds and 5 number of concrete bedded sheds in Kamrup (Metro) District of Assam to assess the behavioral responses of the cross bred dairy cattle in small holders’ production system. From each shed 5 number of dairy cows were selected preferably of 1-2 months of lactation stage. The selected animals were observed for three occasions at 30 days interval for 3 hours daily on 12 hours basis. The time spent (Mean±SE) for rumination, resting and sleeping were recorded as 184.60±1.54, 262.70±0.87 and 53.78±1.38 minutes and 190.40±1.50, 265.60±0.72 and 49.40±1.26 respectively. There was a highly significant difference between both the types of floor (P≤ 0.01) for rumination and resting time. The overall prevalence of post parturition problems were higher (40%) in soil bedded floor than that of concrete bedded floor (20%). The animal welfare issues were compromised on the soil bedded floor type in comparison to concrete bedded floor type of shed.