Lena Lidfors

Cross-sucking in group-housed dairy calves before and after weaning off milk

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to investigate some aspects of cross-sucking behaviour in group-housed calves; in particular how the frequency of cross-sucking changed once the calves were weaned off milk. In the first experiment 91 Swedish Red and White bull calves were observed on 20 different days for 3 min following their milk meal. In the second experiment 56 Swedish Red and White bull calves were observed for 20 min following each meal on Days 4, 3 and 1 before, and Days 1, 3 and 4 after weaning off milk. The frequency of cross-sucking did not change with time after purchase. After weaning the frequency of cross-sucking decreased significantly. The frequency of cross-sucking decreased with time after milk feeding; after 15 min it was at a level equal to that of calves being fed concentrate. Most of the cross-sucking was directed towards the mouth and ears, some towards the scrotum and only rarely towards the prepuce and other parts of the body of pen mates. The results suggest that cross-sucking is stimulated by the ingestion of milk, possibly through a feedback mechanism, increasing the motivation to perform sucking behaviour once milk has been ingested.

Behavioural effects of separating the dairy calf immediately or 4 days post-partum

Abstract This study investigated the behavioural effects of separating the dairy calf from its mother at birth or after 4 days and how the mother-young attachment and suckling behaviour developed during these 4 days post partum (p.p.). Observations were made during 2 h sampling sessions per day on 33 Swedish Red and White and 6 Swedish Friesian mother young pairs. They were either kept together during 96 h (treatment T n = 24) in a calving pen (11 m2) or separated immediately p.p. (treatment S n = 15) with the cow kept in the calving pen and the calf placed in a single crate (1.2 m2) at a distance of 5 m from the cow and in sight of each other. Calves on treatment T were standing earlier p.p. than calves on treatment S (60 vs. 201 min p.p., P ≤ 0.05). However, seven of these calves (32%) did not suckle successfully within 4 h. p.p. Mean duration until placenta expulsion was 245 min and 77% of the cows showed placentophagia, but there were no effects of treatment. During the 2 h p.p. cows on treatment T vocalised more often (P ≤ 0.001), were lying less (P ≤ 0.001), were less inactive (P ≤ 0.05) and performed less oral behaviour (P ≤ 0.01) than cows on treatment S. Calves on treatment T vocalised less often during all 4 days p.p. (P ≤ 0.001) and licked themselves less often during the second, third and fourth day p.p. (P ≤ 0.05) than calves on treatment S. When the calf was separated at 96 h, cows on treatment T vocalised more often (P ≤ 0.001), were lying less (P ≤ 0.05) and ruminated less (P ≤ 0.01) than did cows on treatment S. Calves on treatment T were lying less (P ≤ 0.01) and performed more oral behaviour (P ≤ 0.05) after separation than did calves on treatment S. Cows on treatment T were within 1 m of the calf during most observations, but this decreased during the 4 days p.p. (P ≤ 0.01). Maternal sniffing and licking was most common during the first 2 h p.p., and decreased during the 4 days (P ≤ 0.0001). Total suckling time per 24 h decreased during the first 4 days (P ≤ 0.01), but suckling frequency and bout duration did not change over the 4 days. The conclusion from this study is that both cow and calf are stimulated to higher activity immediately post partum when kept together, but that separation after 4 days has an effect on some behaviours of both cows and calves.

Behaviour of free-ranging beef cows and calves

Abstract The aim of this project was to describe the behaviour of free-ranging cows and calves after birth and during growth to the age of 6 months. Ten bull and 10 heifer calves were followed from birth until first suckling. Calves were observed to record their position in the field once a day until 10 days of age. Focal observations of 5 bull and 5 heifer calves were made from 27 to 167 days of age. Of the cows studied, 2 separated completely from the herd at calving. The calving sites were randomly distributed in the area available. After birth all cows licked their calves. The amount of licking between 0 and 30 min was significantly greater than that between 30 and 60 min after birth. The duration of the first suckling was significantly longer for heifer calves than for bull calves. Eleven of 17 calves changed area during the first day after birth. The duration of cows licking calves did not change significantly from 27 to 167 days of age, and was not correlated to duration of licking immediately after birth. Suckling frequency per hour, suckling time per hour and duration of each suckling did not change significantly from 27 to 167 days of age. Bull calves from 27 to 167 days of age had a significantly higher frequency than heifer calves of sniffings towards adult cows other than the mother and a significantly higher frequency of mountings of adult cows. Cows and calves spent more time together when the calf was a female than when it was a male, and more time when the weaning weight was low than when it was high.

Behavioural effects of environmental enrichment for individually caged rabbits

The behavioural effects of providing male laboratory rabbits with one of four objects in their cage as environmental enrichment were investigated. A total of 60 New Zealand White rabbits housed individually in cages were used. The rabbits were assigned to one of 5 treatments by a random procedure; hay in a water bottle, grass-cubes, two gnawing sticks, a box, or nothing (controls). One week after purchase they were given their object and behavioural observations began. These were made by instantaneous recordings at 2 min intervals for one h/day and totaled 16 days. Rabbits given hay interacted more with their object than those given grass-cubes, gnawing sticks or a box (143, 58, 13 and 19 mean no. of rec. resp., p < 0.0001 for each treatment), they showed less abnormal behaviour, such as excessive fur-licking, sham chewing and bar-biting, than the control rabbits (50 vs. 97 mean no. of rec., p < 0.01), and they lay still less often than the control rabbits (179 vs. 256 mean no. of rec., p < 0.05). Rabbits given grass-cubes interacted more often with their object than those given gnawing sticks (p < 0.001) or a box (p < 0.01), and they showed less abnormal behaviour than the control rabbits (p < 0.001). Rabbits given gnawing sticks or a box interacted only rarely with their object, and they showed the same amount of abnormal behaviour as the control rabbits. The weight gain was higher for rabbits given grass-cubes (906 g, p < 0.001), but not for rabbits given hay (650 g), gnawing sticks (611 g) or a box (570 g) compared to the control rabbits (617 g). It is concluded that hay was the most effective of the tested objects in reducing abnormal behaviour and giving the individually housed rabbits some alternative occupation.

Behaviour at calving and choice of calving place in cattle kept in different environments

Isolation seeking behaviour, choice of calving place, characteristics of the chosen place, pre-partum behaviour and social interactions during calving were recorded in three studies on free-ranging cattle. The first study was done on beef cattle kept in an open grazing area with 30 ha for multiparous cows (n = 380) and 7 ha for primiparous cows (n = 70). The second study was done on dairy Finn cattle kept in a 20 ha forest area (n = 12). The third study was done on dairy cattle kept in a 170 m2 uninsulated loose housing with deep litter (n = 98). In study one, most cows calved in the area where shelters, water, minerals and hay were provided. During calving the cows had significantly fewer adult neighbours than did pregnant cows, but there were no significant differences in the number of calves in the vicinity. In study two, six of the seven cows during the first year and three of the seven cows during the second year isolated themselves before calving. The cows calved on dry and high altitude places with tree cover and branches overhead, or in the shelter. There were no significant changes in lying, standing, walking, feeding and ruminating during 5 days pre-partum. Only during the actual day of calving did cows increase nearest neighbour distance substantially. There were significant differences between primiparous and multiparous cows in walking and distance to nearest neighbour during 1 and 4 days prepartum and in ruminating during 2 and 3 days pre-partum. The total amount for the 5 days pre-partum of ruminating, walking and distance to nearest neighbour increased significantly from the first to the second year. In study three, the pre-parturient cows mainly sniffed and licked alien calves, while other cows sniffed the calving cow. After birth the mother mainly directed licking and sniffing towards her own calf. The other cows in the group directed relatively much sniffing and some pushing, butting and licking towards the newborn calf. Teat-seeking was directed towards both the mother and other cows. Only four of 11 observed calves suckled successfully within 3 h after birth. The conclusion from this study is that there are large individual differences in calving behaviour and that parturient cows seem able to cope with different environmental and social problems at calving.

Diurnal distribution of dairy cow defecation and urination

This study investigated the diurnal distribution of urination and defecation in tied dairy cows with reference to management routines and milk yield/feeding intensity. A total of 16 lactating cows and 4 heifers were videotaped during nine consecutive 24-h periods. The cows had a mean of 16.1 defecations per 24 h—significantly more than the heifers (P<0.001)—and 9.0 urinations. There were significantly more defecations and urinations per hour during the milking and feeding periods than during the lying periods (P<0.001). The frequency of elimination was lowest during the resting time, with 25% of all eliminations during the 15 h. The number of defecations and urinations were not correlated to milk production or stage of lactation. There were significant effects of individual cows on the number of defecations and urinations per 24 h (P<0.001). Data published by Fuller in 1928 from 23 lactating cows studied during 24 h each, in some cases 72 h, were statistically analysed and compared with data from this study. Fuller reports a mean of 15.8 defecations and 7.9 urinations. A comparison between Fuller’s results and those from this study show that average daily number of defecations in lactating cows do not differ between the 1920s and 1990s even though the daily milk production in the latter cows was about double. It is concluded that in dairy cows there does not seem to be any relationship between frequency of eliminations and milk yield or feeding intensity, that there are individual differences in eliminative behaviours, that there are more defecations than urinations per 24-h period, and that the frequency of eliminations is lowest during resting periods. The differences in frequencies of defecations and urinations between individuals underline the need of individually based management routines in tied cattle to minimise the disease risks through dirtiness, mainly mastitis and hoof disorders, thus promoting herd health and reducing the need for antibiotics and other remedies.

Effect of milkflow rate and presence of a floating nipple on abnormal sucking between dairy calves.

The aim of this study was to investigate if access to an artificial teat compared to an open bucket would decrease abnormal sucking in calves held in pairs, and if the calves would perform less abnormal sucking if they spent more time drinking or sucking the milk. In total 16 calves of Swedish Red and White cattle housed in pairs were used. The eight groups were given 2.5l of whole milk per calf, twice a day in one of the following treatments; bucket with fast flow (control), bucket with slow flow, floating nipple with fast flow and floating nipple with slow flow. All groups were subjected to the four different treatments in a random balanced order. Two buckets were connected with a rubber pipe in order to control the milk flow. In the fast treatments, the milk poured from one bucket to the other in 40s, and in the slow treatments the milk poured from one bucket to the other in 10min. Each group had the treatment for 6 days before behavioural observations were done on day 7. These were made by instantaneous recordings at 20s intervals for 30min, starting when the calves received their milk in the morning and afternoon. The number of recordings of abnormal sucking was lower than the control in all treatments (P<0.001). The lowest recording of abnormal sucking was found, when the calves had both a floating nipple and a slow flow. Sucking on other objects in the pen had the highest number of recordings, when they had a nipple and a fast flow (P<0.01), but the sucking on the empty nipple represented 95% of this category. The calves tended to lick and bite more on the bucket, the nipple and pen fittings in the two treatments with fast flow (P<0.1) than in the slow treatment with nipple. It is concluded that both the performance of sucking and the time taken to ingest milk are important in order to decrease abnormal sucking between calves.

The development of on-farm welfare assessment protocols for foxes and mink: the WelFur project

The WelFur project aims at the development of on-farm welfare assessment protocols for farmed foxes (the blue fox [Vulpes lagopus], the silver fox [Vulpes vulpes]) and mink (Neovison vison). The WelFur protocols are based on Welfare Quality® (WQ) principles and criteria. Here, we describe the WelFur protocols after two years of developmental work. Reviews for each of the 12 WQ welfare criteria were written for foxes and mink to identify the welfare measures that have been used in scientific studies. The reviews formed the basis for potential measures to be included in the WelFur protocols. All measures were evaluated for their validity, reliability and feasibility. At present, we have identified 15 fox and 9 mink animal-based (or outcome-based) welfare measures, and 11 and 13 input-based (resource-based or management-based) measures. For both foxes and mink, each of the four WQ principles is judged by at least one criterion, and seven out of the 12 criteria include animal-based measures. The protocols will be piloted in 2012. Using the WQ project and protocols as a model has been a fruitful approach in developing the WelFur protocols. The effects of the WelFur protocols will provide benchmarks from which the welfare of animals on European fur farms can be assessed.

Effect of restricted suckling on milk yield, milk composition and udder health in cows and behaviour and weight gain in calves, in dual-purpose cattle in the tropics

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of restricted suckling (RS) in dual-purpose cows and calves compared to artificial rearing (AR). Twelve Holstein-Zebu cows with calves were assigned to each treatment. Cows were milked once daily in the morning with calves present to stimulate milk let-down. RS calves suckled 30 min after milking and 30 min in the afternoon, whereas AR calves were milk-fed from nipple bottles. The daily saleable milk yield was higher in RS than in AR cows (p < 0.01; 7.44 vs 6.50 kg/day), whereas RS cows had lower milk-fat content (p < 0.001). AR cows had higher California Mastitis Test scores (p < 0.001) and lower lactose content (p < 0.001) compared to RS cows, which indicates an improved udder health in RS cows. AR calves displayed more ‘cross-suck’ during suckling/milk feeding (p < 0.001) and during observations of general behaviour (p < 0.05), and more ‘lick and sniff interior’ during milking (p < 0.05) and suckling/milk feeding (p < 0.01), compared to RS calves. During observations of general behaviour the RS calves were more often observed to ‘walk’ (p < 0.01) and ‘lick self’ (p < 0.05) and less frequently to ‘eat concentrate’ (p < 0.05) than AR calves. Results support the hypothesis that RS increases milk yield, influences milk composition and improves udder health in cows, and decreases abnormal sucking in calves.

Influence of digital dermatitis and sole ulcer on dairy cow behaviour and milk production.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the presence of digital dermatitis (DD) and sole ulcer (SU) in dairy cows was associated with changes in behaviour and milk production. Swedish Red and Swedish Holstein cows (mostly in the first to second lactation) were housed in a cubicle system with automatically scraped passageways. After maintenance claw trimming of all the cows in the herd, 10 cows with DD and 10 cows with SU were selected. For each DD- or SU-affected cow, a healthy control cow, matched according to breed, age, parity and lactation stage, was selected. The behaviour of each of the 20 focal cows was observed for 1 h during 2 to 3 weeks after claw trimming (WACT; period 1) and for 1 h during 5 to 6 WACT (period 2). Milk production parameters: energy-corrected milk (ECM), fat and protein percentages and somatic cell counts (SCCs) were recorded once monthly. Lameness was scored once at the start of the study and cows with SU and DD showed more score 2 lameness (42% v. 31%) than the healthy cows (12%). Most differences in behaviour were found during 2 to 3 WACT when DD- and SU-affected cows were lying less (P = 0.001 and P = 0.012, respectively) than healthy cows. Ruminating while standing was performed more in DD-affected cows (P < 0.001) and tended to be performed more in SU-affected cows (P = 0.079) than their controls. Vigilance was performed more in DD- and SU-affected cows than in healthy cows (P < 0.001 and P = 0.047). Cows with DD produced approximately 5.5 kg less ECM per day both at 2 to 3 WACT (P = 0.022) and at 5 to 6 WACT (P = 0.017) than healthy cows, whereas SU-affected cows tended to produce less ECM at 5 to 6 WACT (P = 0.059). No differences in milk fat and protein or SCC were found. It may be concluded that DD-affected cows showed a stronger behavioural response to the claw disease than the SU-affected cows. This shows the importance of regular claw checking and claw trimming of the cows in order to avoid the negative effects on behaviour and milk production.