Stress indicators in cow-bonded calf rearing after a short-term separation of cow and calf on day 8

In traditional husbandry, calves are separated from their mothers within 24 hours after birth and bottle-fed. Cow- calf bonded rearing allows calves to suckle from their mother or a foster cow for up to 30 weeks, promoting natu- ral bonding. Stronger bonding leads to challenges at later separation. This study examined cow and calf’s activity and feed intake after seven days of full-day contact. Data were collected at the dairy farm Veitshof of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) from cows (n = 12) and calves (n = 12) in the first 10 days after birth. Collars were used to track cow’s rumination, feeding, and lying times, as well as pedometers for movement patterns in the barn. Body weight, milk intake and salivary cortisol levels were measured in calves before and after separation. The preliminary statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and linear models. Results indicate a decrease of rumination and lying time and increased activity in cows after separation. Calves struggle transitioning from frequent small udder feedings to two larger (≥ 5 L per feeding) nipple-bucket feedings. Salivary cortisol levels in- crease in calves 48 hours after separation (p ≤ 0.05). Based on the preliminary results, it can be concluded that the separation is challenging for both, the cow and the calf. However, dam’s separation stress seemed to last longer and more intensively, evidenced by more days of noticeable change in their behavior afterward.     «

In traditional husbandry, calves are separated from their mothers within 24 hours after birth and bottle-fed. Cow- calf bonded rearing allows calves to suckle from their mother or a foster cow for up to 30 weeks, promoting natu- ral bonding. Stronger bonding leads to challenges at later separation. This study examined cow and calf’s activity and feed intake after seven days of full-day contact. Data were collected at the dairy farm Veitshof of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) from co...     »