Reduction in cross-sucking in calves by the use of a modified automatic teat feeder

Applied Animal Behaviour Science
R Weber, B Wechsler

Abstract

Cross-sucking may be a problem in group-housed calves fed by automatic teat feeders. In the present study, the behaviour of calves fed by a conventional feeder with an open feeding stall (n=15 calves) was compared with the behaviour of calves fed by a modified feeder, closing in the rear after the calf has entered (n=14 calves). It was found that the calves fed by the feeder with the closed stall stayed longer in the feeding stall following milk ingestion (P<0.001), showed longer bouts of non-nutritive sucking directed to the teat after milk ingestion (P<0.005) and performed less cross-sucking in the first 15min after milk ingestion (P<0.001) than calves fed by the feeder with the open stall. The design of the feeder had, however, no significant influence on the incidence of cross-sucking performed without close temporal association with milk ingestion. As the modification in the feeding stall reduces cross-sucking and is not costly, it should be feasible to introduce it in practice.

References

Dec 1, 1993·Physiology & Behavior·A M de PassilléJ Rushen
May 24, 2000·Preventive Veterinary Medicine·N M KeilW Langhans

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Citations

Mar 5, 2016·Neuropsychological Rehabilitation·William CurvisNatalie Hampson
May 4, 2010·Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics = Zeitschrift Für Tierzüchtung Und Züchtungsbiologie·B Fuerst-WaltlC Winckler
Dec 17, 2005·Journal of Dairy Science·K O'DriscollD M Weary
Jan 24, 2009·Journal of Dairy Science·B A RothE Hillmann

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