The cow-calf relationship: from maternal responsiveness to the maternal bond and the possibilities for fostering.

The Journal of Dairy Research
John P Kent

Abstract

The relationship between the cow and calf develops over time after birth. The behavioural mechanisms underlying its development are important and comparisons with other species may increase our understanding. In nature the cow will separate herself from the herd to give birth and then the cow-calf relationship will develop with the ability to recognise each other. While twinning levels are low in cows, they do rear their twin calves. If the calf is lost at or after birth the cow can be responsive towards other calves and in specific circumstances the cow can develop a maternal bond with an alien calf, i.e. foster. In this Research Reflection a distinction is made between the development of, on the one hand, maternal responsiveness (the tendency of the cow to care for a calf which occurs before birth) and, on the other hand, the development of the maternal-filial bond or relationship which is reciprocal, occurs after birth and is characterised by the ability to discriminate the mother's own calf from alien calves. These processes can overlap and the relationship between cow and calf in this 'hider' species is more plastic than in some other mammals. For example, a cow might form an attachment with an alien calf before she gives ...Continue Reading

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Aug 24, 2017·The Journal of Dairy Research·Sigrid Agenäs
Jun 25, 2019·Frontiers in Physiology·Brian J McCabe

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Citations

Jun 3, 2021·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Lydia LanzoniGiorgio Vignola

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