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 |