Document type: scientific article published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Authors: Michail Sabino Moroz, Laura Katherine Whalin, João Henrique Cardoso Costa, Ruan Rolnei Daros
Abstract in French (translation): Early socialization promotes the adoption of positive behaviors in dairy calves before weaning
Pair housing offers benefits for dairy calves; however, little is known about how housing type and age at grouping influence the expression of positive and negative behaviors.
The objective of this study was to compare the dynamics of behaviors classified as positive, maintenance, or negative, and to assess the total frequency of each behavior throughout the preweaning period in calves housed in pairs at one week of age, housed in pairs at four weeks of age, or housed individually. Female Holstein calves (n = 140) were assigned to one of the following three experimental groups: paired at one week of age (paired at 6–7 days; n = 48), paired at 4 weeks of age (paired at 29–30 days; n = 48), or in individual pens (n = 44). Behavioral observations were conducted for 30 minutes after feeding (twice daily), from day 6 through day 50, using a sweep sampling method. We used linear mixed-effects models to assess the effects of housing arrangement, age, and health status (diarrhea and bovine respiratory disease) on calf behavior.
Calves paired at one week of age exhibited the most positive behavioral outcomes, with greater expression of exploratory behaviors, play, and mutual grooming, as well as less inactivity, stereotyped behaviors, bedding consumption, and non-nutritive oral behaviors, compared to both calves paired at 4 weeks of age and calves housed individually. Pairing at one week of age promoted the expression of positive behaviors while reducing negative behaviors in dairy calves prior to weaning. Although grouping at 4 weeks of age led to some expression of positive behaviors compared to individual housing, this was insufficient to match the levels observed when calves were grouped at one week of age.
These results highlight the importance not only of providing social housing but also of implementing pairing from an early age, as both the timing and the social context significantly influence calves’ behavioral trajectories and their ability to express positive states of well-being.
Preview:
Pair housing benefits dairy calves; however, little is known about how housing type and the age at pairing influence the expression of positive and negative behaviours.
The aim of this study was to compare the behavioural dynamics of behaviours categorized as positive, maintenance or negative and to evaluate the total frequency of each behaviour across the pre-weaning period in calves pair-housed at 1 week of age, pair-housed at 4 weeks of age, or housed individually. Holstein female calves (n = 140) were assigned to one of three treatments: paired at 1 week (paired at 6–7 d; n = 48), paired at 4 weeks (paired at 29–30 d; n = 48), or individually housed (n = 44). Behavioural observations were conducted for 30 min after milk feeding (twice per day) from day 6 to day 50 using scan sampling. We used linear mixed-effects models to assess the effects of housing, age, and health status (diarrhoea and BRD) on calf behaviour.
Calves paired at 1 week displayed the most positive behavioural outcomes, showing higher expression of exploratory behaviour, play, and allogrooming, as well as lower expression of idleness, stereotypic behaviour, bedding intake, and non-nutritive oral behaviours compared with both calves paired at 4 weeks and individually housed calves. Pair housing at 1 week enhanced the expression of positive behaviours while reducing negative behaviours in pre-weaned dairy calves. Although pairing at 4 weeks led to some positive behaviour expression compared with individual housing, it was still insufficient to match the levels observed when calves were paired at 1 week of age.
These findings highlight the importance of not only providing social housing but also initiating pair housing early, as both the timing and the social context significantly shape calves’ behavioural trajectories and their ability to express positive welfare states.
