The influence of maternal contact on activity, emotionality and social competence in young dairy calves.

The Journal of Dairy Research
Noemi Kim SantoJanja Sirovnik

Abstract

The study reported in this research communication aimed to assess the influence of maternal contact on calves' activity, fearfulness, and social competence. Calves were either dam-reared for their first 14 d of age (Maternal Contact, n = 12) or were separated from their dams within 12 h after birth (Motherless, n = 12). Calves of both treatments and the dams of Maternal Contact calves were group-housed and suckling was prevented with udder nets. The general activity (lying, locomotion, swapping between lying and standing) was measured using pedometers in eight Maternal Contact and eight Motherless calves within a 24-d period. Since general activity might be affected by calves' age or the separation of Maternal Contact calves from the dams the 24-d period was additionally divided into two groups (period A: 3rd-13th day of age, period B: 14th-27th day of age). Emotionality and social competence were assessed in the open field, novel object, and confrontation test with an unknown cow at 14, 21, and 28 d of age, respectively. Mann-Whitney-U-tests were performed for statistical analysis. Locomotion was greater in Motherless calves than Maternal Contact calves during the 24-d period (A + B combined, P < 0.001) and period B (14th to 2...Continue Reading

References

Feb 17, 2001·Applied Animal Behaviour Science·F C. Flower, D M. Weary
May 11, 2007·Hormones and Behavior·Marina A G von Keyserlingk, Daniel M Weary
Jan 1, 2013·Medical Archives·Djordje BozovicNedeljka Ivkovic
Mar 17, 2017·PloS One·Gesa BuschMarina A G von Keyserlingk
May 14, 2019·Journal of Dairy Science·Annabelle BeaverDaniel M Weary
Aug 17, 2019·Research in Veterinary Science·Alice BrombinMarta Brščić

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Citations

Mar 4, 2021·The Journal of Dairy Research·Julie Føske JohnsenSabine Ferneborg

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