Social hierarchy in dairy cow groups causes competition for feed, lying space, and water, with subordinate cows experiencing significant chronic welfare compromise in poorly managed systems.
Subordinate dairy cows in poorly managed housing systems experience chronic welfare compromise from competition-related resource restriction. Limited feed bunk space causes subordinate cows to be displaced from feed, reducing dry matter intake and contributing to negative energy balance, ketosis, and reproductive failure. Insufficient water trough space causes dehydration and associated milk production losses. Inadequate cubicle numbers force subordinate cows to stand on concrete for extended periods, increasing lameness risk substantially. The chronic nature of this welfare compromise means affected cows suffer throughout their productive life, with cumulative effects on health, fertility, and longevity.