. 2023 Mar 29;21(3):e07896. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7896

Table 13.

ABMs of group stress in veal calves kept in small groups

ABM	Comments
Aggressive interactions with physical contact	Definition: Aggressive interactions involving direct, physical contact (head butts, pushing) with or without displacement of other calves during times of expected highest level of competition/density (Færevik et al., 2007; Færevik et al., 2008). Sensitivity: High. Specificity: High.
Body condition score (BCS)	Definition: Poor body condition (protruding bones, sharp ribs etc.). For estimation of BCS categories, the following criteria are taken into account (adapted from the Welfare Quality® protocol for calves): Calves should be assessed on the basis of the quantity of muscle, the estimated weight and physical appearance characteristics including: (i) visibility of the ribs, (ii) the extent to which the backbone protrudes, and (iii) the size of the belly. Calves are compared with the mean level of the batch. Severe lower condition: the calf is 30% below the average weight or condition of the batch. Sensitivity: Low. The calf will only show low body condition if group stress occurs over a long period of time and the animal is prevented from accessing feed sources over this period. Specificity: Low. Situations of prolonged hunger or chronic disease may also result in low weight gain.

ABM

Comments

Aggressive interactions with physical contact

Definition: Aggressive interactions involving direct, physical contact (head butts, pushing) with or without displacement of other calves during times of expected highest level of competition/density (Færevik et al., 2007; Færevik et al., 2008).

Sensitivity: High.

Specificity: High.

Body condition score (BCS)

Definition: Poor body condition (protruding bones, sharp ribs etc.). For estimation of BCS categories, the following criteria are taken into account (adapted from the Welfare Quality® protocol for calves):

Calves should be assessed on the basis of the quantity of muscle, the estimated weight and physical appearance characteristics including: (i) visibility of the ribs, (ii) the extent to which the backbone protrudes, and (iii) the size of the belly. Calves are compared with the mean level of the batch. Severe lower condition: the calf is 30% below the average weight or condition of the batch.

Sensitivity: Low. The calf will only show low body condition if group stress occurs over a long period of time and the animal is prevented from accessing feed sources over this period.

Specificity: Low. Situations of prolonged hunger or chronic disease may also result in low weight gain.