Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-mwx4w Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-20T07:09:50.745Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Effects of Early Separation on the Dairy Cow and Calf

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

F C Flower  and
D M Weary
F C Flower*
Affiliation:
Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Centre for Applied Ethics, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
D M Weary
Affiliation:
Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Centre for Applied Ethics, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: frances_flower@hotmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Most dairy producers believe that early separation of the cow and calf is necessary for reproductive efficiency, to minimise health problems and to improve the ease of milking. In addition, many consider that it is less distressing for both animals if separation occurs earlier rather than later. In this paper we review the welfare and production effects of early separation on the cow and calf. Research has shown that the cow's immediate behavioural response to separation from the calf increases with increased contact with the calf, but other work has shown that cow health and productivity are positively affected by the presence of the calf. Calf response to separation also increases when the calf spends more time with the cow, but there are long-term benefits of prolonged contact in terms of sociality, fearfulness and future maternal behaviour. Health, weight gain and future productivity are also improved when the calf is allowed to spend more time with the cow.

Keywords

animal welfarebehaviourcalfdairy cowseparation
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , August 2003 , pp. 339 - 348
Copyright
© 2003 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Appleby, M C, Weary, D M and Chua, B 2001 Performance and feeding behaviour of calves on ad libitum milk from artificial teats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 74: 191–201CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Arave, C, Mickelsen, C and Walters, J 1985 Effect of early rearing experience on subsequent behaviour and production of Holstein heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 68: 923–929CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Arave, C, Albright, J, Armstrong, D, Foster, W and Larson, L 1992 Effects of isolation of calves on growth, behavior, and first lactation milk yield of Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 75: 3408–3415CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boissy, A and Bouissou, M-F 1988 Effects of early handling on heifers’ subsequent reactivity to humans and to unfamiliar situations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 20: 259–273CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Broom, D and Leaver, J 1978 Effects of group-rearing or partial isolation on later social behaviour of calves. Animal Behaviour 26: 1255–1263CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carruthers, T and Hafs, H 1980 Suckling and four-times daily milking: influence on ovulation, estrus and serum luteinizing hormone, glucocorticoids and prolactin in postpartum Holsteins. Journal of Animal Science 50: 919–925CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chua, B, Coenen, E, van Delen, J and Weary, D M 2002 Effects of pair versus individual housing on the behavior and performance of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science 85: 360–364CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Clemence, R and Ahmed, S 1993 The milking potential of the local house-cow in the Republic of Yemen. In: Gill M, Owen E, Pollott G and Lawerence T (eds) Animal Production in Developing Countries p 169. Occasional Publication No. 16. British Society of Animal Production: Penicuik, UKCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Creel, S and Albright, J 1988 The effects of neonatal social isolation on the behaviour and endocrine function of Holstein calves. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 21: 293–306CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Day, J and Webster, S 1999 The effects of early weaning. Biologist 46: 177–180Google Scholar
De, Passillé A-M, Rushen, J, Ladwig, J and Petherick, C 1996 Dairy calves’ discrimination of people based on previous handling. Journal of Animal Science 74: 969–974Google Scholar
Donaldson, S, Albright, J and Black, W 1972 Primary social relationships and cattle behavior. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Sciences 81: 345–351Google Scholar
D'Silva, J 1993 The Welfare Argument: Welfare of Dairy Cows. Compassion in World Farming: Petersfield, UKGoogle Scholar
Edwards, S 1982 Factors affecting the time to first suckling in dairy calves. Animal Production 34: 339–346Google Scholar
Edwards, S and Broom, D 1982 Behavioural interactions of dairy cows with their newborn calves and the effects of parity. Animal Behaviour 30: 525–535CrossRefGoogle Scholar
FAWC 1997 Report on the Welfare of Dairy Cattle. Farm Animal Welfare Council: Surbiton, UKGoogle Scholar
Flower, F and Weary, D 2001 Effects of early separation on the dairy cow and calf. II: Separation at 1 day and 2 weeks after birth. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 70: 275–284CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fraser, A and Broom, D 1997 Farm Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Edn 3. CAB International: Wallingford, UKGoogle Scholar
Hafez, E 1980 Reproduction in Farm Animals. Lea and Febiger: Philadelphia, USAGoogle Scholar
Hammell, K, Metz, J and Mekking, P 1988 Sucking behaviour of dairy calves fed milk ad libitum by bucket or teat. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 20: 275–285CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hopster, H, O'Connell, J and Blokhuis, H 1995 Acute effects of cow-calf separation on heart rate, plasma Cortisol and behaviour in multiparous dairy cows. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 44: 1–8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Houpt, K and Wolski, T 1982 Domestic Animal Behaviour for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists. Iowa State University Press: Ames, USAGoogle Scholar
Hudson, S and Mullord, M 1977 Investigations of maternal bonding in dairy cattle. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 3: 271–276Google Scholar
Hunter, R 1980 Physiology and Technology of Reproduction in Female Domestic Animals. Academic Press: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Jasper, J and Weary, D M 2002 Effects of ad libitum milk intake on dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science 85: 3054–3058CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jensen, M, Vestergaard, K and Krohn, C 1998 Play behaviour in dairy calves kept in pens: the effect of social contact and space allowance. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 56: 97–108CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jonasen, B and Krohn, C 1991 Cow-calf relations. 4: Behaviour, production and health in suckler calves (Danish Holstein Friesian). Report No. 689. National Institute of Animal Science: Foulum, DenmarkGoogle Scholar
Kilgour, R and Dalton, C 1984 Livestock Behaviour: A Practical Guide. Granada Publishing Ltd: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Krohn, C, Jonasen, B and Munksgaard, L 1990 Cow-calf relations. 2: The effect of 0 vs. 5 days suckling on behaviour, milk production and udder health of cows in different stabling. Report No. 678. National Institute of Animal Science: Foulum, DenmarkGoogle Scholar
Krohn, C, Foldager, J and Mogensen, L 1999 Long-term effect of colostrum feeding methods on behaviour in female dairy calves. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica (Section A — Animal Science) 49: 57–64CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kruse, V 1970 Absorption of immunoglobulin from colostrum in newborn calves. Animal Production 12: 627–638Google Scholar
Laster, D, Glimp, H and Gregory, K 1973 Effects of early weaning on post-partum reproduction of cows. Journal of Animal Science 36: 734–740CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leece, J 1975 Rearing piglets artificially in a farm environment: a promise unfulfilled. Journal of Animal Science 41: 659–666CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Legatte, A 1996 Getting the calf off to a healthy start. Scottish Agricultural College Technical Note: T414.Google Scholar
Le Neindre, P 1989 Influence of cattle rearing conditions and breed on social behaviour of mother and young. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 23: 117–127CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Le Neindre, P and Sourd, C 1984 Influence of rearing condition on subsequent social behaviour of Friesian and Salers heifers from birth to six months of age. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 12: 43–52CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lidfors, L 1996 Behavioural effects of separating the dairy calf immediately or 4 days post-partum. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 49: 269–283CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lidfors, L 2000 Behavioural studies of keeping dairy calves on foster cows. Proceedings of the 34th International Congress of the International Society of Applied Ethology p 95. Federal University of Santa Catarina: Florianopolis, BrazilGoogle Scholar
Margerison, J, Phillips, C and Preston, T 1999 The effect of cow-calf separation in dairy cattle on animal behaviour. In: Russel, A, Morgan, C, Savory, C, Appleby, M and Lawerence, T (eds) Farm Animal Welfare — Who Writes The Rules? pp 113–115. Occasional Publication No. 23. British Society of Animal Science: Penicuik, UKGoogle Scholar
Metz, J 1987 Productivity aspects of keeping dairy cow and calf together in the post-partum period. Livestock Production Science 16: 385–394CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Metz, J and Metz, J 1986 Maternal influence on defecation and urination in the newborn calf. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 16: 325–333CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Murphey, R, Paranhos da Costa, M and da Silva, R 2000 Creche composition in a group of Angus calves. Proceedings of the 34th International Congress of the International Society of Applied Ethology p 60. Federal University of Santa Catarina: Florianopolis, BrazilGoogle Scholar
Noakes, D 1997 Fertility and Obstetrics in Cattle, Edn 2. Blackwell Science: Oxford, UKGoogle Scholar
Payne, W 1990 An Introduction to Animal Husbandry in the Tropics, Edn 4. Longman Scientific and Technical: Harlow, UKGoogle Scholar
Petrie, L 1984 Maximising the absorption of colostral immunoglobulins in the newborn dairy calf. Veterinary Record 114: 157–163CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Phillips, C 1993 Cattle Behaviour. Farming Press Books: Ipswich, UKGoogle Scholar
Phipps, R, Madakadze, C, Abate, A, Rashid, A, Hard, D and de Kerchove, G 1993 The potential of bovine somatotrophin to increase milk production in developing countries. In: Gill, M, Owen, E, Pollott, G and Lawerence, T (eds) Animal Production in Developing Countries pp 154–155. Occasional Publication No. 16. British Society of Animal Production: Penicuik, UKGoogle Scholar
Price, E, Smith, V, Thos, J and Anderson, G 1986 The effects of twinning and maternal experience on maternal-filial social relationships in confined beef cattle. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 15: 137–146CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roy, J 1990 The Calf, Edn 5. Butterworths & Co Ltd: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Rushen, J and De Passillé, A 1995 The motivation of non-nutritive suckling in calves, Bos taurus. Animal Behaviour 49: 1503–1510CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sainsbury, D 1983 Animal Health: Health, Disease and Welfare of Farm Livestock. Granada Publishing Ltd: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Selman, I, McEwan, A and Fisher, E 1970 Studies on natural suckling in cattle during the first eight hours post partum. I: Behavioural studies (dams). Animal Behaviour 18: 276–289CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, M, Callow, C and McSweeney, B 1973 Ten and eighteen-week suckling of Friesian steers. New Zealand Society of Animal Production 33: 166–175Google Scholar
Stansfleld, M 1991 The Herdman's Book, Edn 2. Farming Press Books: Ipswich, UKGoogle Scholar
Stott, G, Marx, D, Menefee, E and Nightengale, G 1979 Colostral immunoglobulin transfer in calves. IV: Effect of suckling. Journal of Dairy Science 62: 1908–1913CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Terqui, M, Chupin, D, Gauthier, D, Perez, N, Pelot, J and Mauleon, P 1982 Influence of management and nutrition on post partum endocrine function and ovarian activity in cows. In: Karg, H and Schallenberger, E (eds) Factors Influencing Fertility in Post Partum Cows pp 384–408. Nijhoff: The Hague, The NetherlandsGoogle Scholar
Thickett, B, Mitchell, D and Hallow, B 1988 Calf Rearing pp 4–7. Farming Press Books: Ipswich, UKGoogle Scholar
Thomas, T, Weary, D and Appleby, M 2001 Newborn and 5-week old calves vocalize in response to milk deprivation. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 74: 165–173CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Veissier, I, Gesmier, V, Le Neindre, P, Gautier, J and Bertrand, G 1994 The effects of rearing in individual crates on subsequent social behaviour of veal calves. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 41: 199–210CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vitale, A, Tenucci, M, Papini, M and Lovari, S 1986 Social behaviour of the calves of semi-wild Maremma cattle (Bos primigenius taurus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 16: 217–231CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Warnick, V, Arave, C and Mickelsen, C 1977 Effects of group, individual and isolated rearing of calves on weight gain and behaviour. Journal of Dairy Science 60: 945–953CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Weary, D and Chua, B 2000 Effects of early separation on the dairy cow and calf. 1: Separation at 6h, 1 day and 4 days after birth. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 69: 177–188CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webster, A, Saville, C, Church, B, Gnanasakthy, A and Moss, R 1985 The effect of different rearing systems on the development of behaviour. British Veterinary Journal 141: 249–264CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webster, J 1994 Animal Welfare: A Cool Eye Towards Eden. Blackwell Science: Oxford, UKGoogle Scholar
Wesselink, R, Stafford, K, Mellor, D, Todd, S and Gregory, N 1999 Colostrum intake by dairy calves. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 47: 31–34CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wiepkema, P 1985 Abnormal behaviour in farm animals: ethological implications. Netherlands Journal of Zoology 35: 279–299CrossRefGoogle Scholar