Understanding Behavioural Development of Calves in Natural Settings to Inform Calf Management

Abstract

One important type of animal welfare concern is “natural living” (i.e., that animals are able to express natural behaviours that are important to them, and to engage with aspects of the natural world that they find important). The aims of this narrative review were to describe the behavioural development of calves (Bos taurus) in natural settings and use this to identify characteristics of natural systems that may be important to consider relative to this natural living conception of animal welfare. At birth, calves are licked by their mothers and soon stand to suckle for colostrum, and during the milk-feeding period, calves spend much of their time lying down. In natural systems, calves perform a variety of social behaviours with herd-mates, and slowly transition from their mother’s milk to eating solid food, by gradually increasing time spent grazing and ruminating. In contrast, on most commercial dairy systems, dairy calves are removed from their mothers at birth, housed individually, fed restricted amounts of milk and weaned abruptly at a young age. The results of this review suggest that accommodating key natural behaviours, for example through the use of teat feeding of milk, social housing, and gradual weaning, can help address welfare concerns.

Milk feeding level and starter protein content: Effects on growth performance, blood metabolites, and urinary purine derivatives of Holstein dairy calves

“…In addition, higher protein content in calf starters (19.6% CP; Akayezu et al, 1994) has been shown to increase intake of starters compared with NRC (2001) recommendation (18% CP, DM basis). Although the protein levels reported by NRC ( 2001) are probably appropriate for calves fed conventional milk, they should perhaps be reconsidered for calves fed high milk levels as well as for calves reared in "natural living" systems, to support optimum health and productivity (Whalin et al, 2021). According to Stamey Lanier et al (2021), empty BW of calves fed 26% starter protein were higher than those of calves fed 21.5% starter protein under an enhanced early feeding program.…”

Welfare implications of prolonged cow-calf contact in dairy farming

“…Weaning and separation after prolonged CCC in farm settings is often imposed at younger ages and more abruptly than in natural settings (Sirovnik et al, 2020;Weary et al, 2008;Whalin et al, 2021). Although gradual debonding strategies like fenceline separation or nose-flap insertion contain elements of natural weaning (i.e.…”

“…At the same time, suckling colostrum from the dam has been found to increase the amount of immunoglobulins absorbed by the calves, suggesting that suckling in itself may promote passive transfer (Quigley et al, 1995;Stott et al, 1979). Besides, rearing calves together with their dams may address some welfare concerns, as it would allow for early socialization of calves, freely suckling of milk, and maternal-filial interactions to occur (Gygax and Hillmann, 2018;Whalin et al, 2021). Interestingly, the European Food and Safety Authority states that the needs of young calves are most effectively met by the presence and actions of their mothers, and lack of maternal care is regarded as risk factor for poor animal welfare (EFSA, 2006).…”

“…Overall, in the current study the welfare implications of different types of CCC for dairy calves were not straightforward. Although full CCC systems offer calves opportunities to express their natural behaviour (Whalin et al, 2021), this system did not provide health benefits but instead compromised calves' health. Moreover, full contact induced behavioural stress responses to debonding and increased the risk for a poorhuman animal relationship later in life.…”

“…Separating the calf from the dam shortly after birth is a routine practice on commercial dairy farms that differs from natural settings where the calf is raised by the dam (Whalin et al, 2021) and is perceived as contentious by the public (Busch et al, 2017;Ventura et al, 2013). Hence, some farmers have developed rearing systems that allow for prolonged cow-calf contact (CCC) including suckling (Johnsen et al, 2016;Vaarst et al, 2020).…”