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

Table D.5: Summary of welfare consequences, ABMs, hazards and preventive measures in systems keeping dairy calves from birth till weaning in in small groups with milk feeding by bucket/trough

Welfare consequence ABM Hazard Preventive measure of the hazard
Prolonged hunger

Body condition score

Vocalisations

Restlessness, i.e. increased activity and decreased lying

Attempt to access inaccessible feed

Low amount of milk, especially before 4 weeks of age

Low amount or quality of solid feed (depending on age; at weaning)

Low frequency of milk feeding

Weaning strategy e.g. too early weaning, too low intake of solid feed

Provide feed in amounts and in types that meet not only nutrient requirements but also feelings of satiety

Milk feeding corresponding to 20% of body weight until 4 weeks of age

Feeding milk at least twice a day until at least 4 weeks of age/until gradual weaning is initiated

Inability to perform sucking behaviour

Sucking of pen fixtures

Cross‐sucking

Loss of hair and inflammation of skin in the navel area

Offering milk in open buckets

Removing teat buckets too soon after the milk ration is ingested

Offering low milk allowances

Weaning strategy e.g. too early weaning, too low intake of solid feed

Breed

Separation from dam

Offering milk via a teat bucket

Increase amount of milk

Increase milk feeding frequency

Stepwise weaning based on solid feed intake

Rearing with dam or foster cow

Breed selection to avoid the genetic predisposition for the development of cross‐sucking

Gastroenteric disorders

Diarrhoea

Hair loss in the perineum and hind legs

Bloat

Poor colostrum management

Poor hygiene including bedding, teats, buckets; poor biosecurity

Proximity to older animals

Inadequately positioned or conceived bucket or teat

Poor quality milk replacers

High stocking rates

Vaccination of pregnant cows

Ensure sufficient (10–12% body weight) and timely (up to 6 h p.p.) intake of high‐quality colostrum

Strict hygiene measures

Routine (twice daily) monitoring of calves to detect cases early

Respiratory disorders

Coughing

Respiratory sounds at lung auscultation

Rectal temperature

Nasal discharge

Ocular discharge

Poor colostrum management

Poor ventilation

Lack of bedding, especially in cold environments

Stressful events

Proximity to older cattle

Reduce stress factors (i.e. transport, mutilations, changes in group composition)

Ensure good colostrum management and feeding of calves and establish integrated vaccination programs

Appropriate ventilation to avoid high ammonia or dust concentrations and adequate temperature‐humidity index

Keep calves in small and stable groups

Inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour

Non‐nutritive oral manipulation

Tongue flicks

Tongue rolling

Barren environment

Concentrated diets

Low frequency of feeding/duration

Provide relevant enrichment, e.g. rubbing fixtures (brushes), enrichment objects, bedding

Increase fibre content of diet to increase foraging

Make animals work for their feed, e.g. straw rack, and increase feeding frequency

Provide access to an outdoor area and pasture

Inability to perform play behaviour Time spent in locomotor play Low space allowance

Increase space allowance

Environmental changes such as the provision of straw, or other environmental stimuli may stimulate play behaviour

Provide solid, non‐slip surface