Calf Rearing Practices

Calves are separated from their mothers immediately after birth and spend their initial 14 days in individual spaces like polyester igloos or boxes.[1] After this fortnight, the veal calves are moved from the dairy farm to a calf collection center, while the dairy calves remain on the farm. Some calves continue to live in individual boxes until they reach eight weeks of age, depending on the farmer’s practice. In Flanders, some farmers transition the calves to group housing after the first two weeks. However, others delay this until the calves are eight weeks old, which is the maximum legal age for individual housing of calves.[2]

The mortality rate of calves is estimated to be between 11.5% to 12.2%, with up to 8.5% of deaths occurring within the first three days after birth.[3] This is significantly higher than the average mortality rate in the agricultural sector, which lies between 3 and 5%.

Cow-Calf Separation

The common practice of separating a calf from its mother immediately after birth is often justified for practical reasons, yet this rationale lacks backing from scientific evidence. Although a cow nursing its calf may result in a 7.1% decrease in milk production, various factors balance this loss. These include improved weight gain in calves, health benefits for both the calf and the mother, and cost savings from avoiding the need for systems to manage calf suckling. While full-time contact between cow and calf (allowing unlimited suckling until the calf is 12 weeks old) may not be considered profitable, a system that permits limited contact could offer a feasible alternative. This approach would balance the calf’s welfare needs with operational considerations.[4]

The practice of separation significantly affects both the calf’s and the cow’s welfare. The belief that the bond between them intensifies from the fourth day is used as a reason to separate them within the first three days post-birth, to reduce the calf’s separation distress.  However, this perspective fails to consider the substantial welfare implications of early separation. This process denies the calf and its mother the opportunity to engage in natural maternal interactions, potentially leading to  behavioral abnormalities and cognitive deficiencies in the calf.[5] In contrast, calves that remain with their mother are healthier, grow better, and are more resilient to diseases. [6] These advantages increase with the duration of contact between the cow and the calf, suggesting that extended contact significantly enhances the calf’s welfare and health. [7]

Individual Housing versus Group Housing

The primary justification for individually housing calves is for easier management, including health monitoring, milk intake observation, prevention of cross-sucking, and reduced risk of disease transmission. Evidence suggests that individual housing of calves has detrimental effects on social behavior development, learning ability, feeding behavior, and affective states. However, group housing may increase the prevalence of respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders and group stress.[8]

Improving Cow-Calf Welfare

Introducing Gradual Separation at Three Months

Calves should ideally stay with their mothers until they are eight to ten months old, similar to natural behavior, or until they are slaughtered.  Separation of cow and calf should not happen before three month of age. This allows both cow and calf to engage in beneficial natural maternal behavior, improving welfare of both.

Separation stress between mother and calf is highest between four days and three to six weeks after birth, lessening as the calves age. By three months, calves are nutritionally and socially independent enough to undergo separation with minimal negative welfare impact.[9] Calves at this age show less cross-suckling and have better social skills and behaviors.[10]

Effective measures are available to facilitate gradual bonding between the mother and calf at three months of age. A two-step debonding strategy, like the fence-line method, can be employed. This method gradually decreases physical contact and suckling  between the mother and calf by placing a barrier between them before full separation.[11] Research shows this strategy reduces stress responses in both cow and calf, ensuring a smoother transition.[12]

Group Housing instead of Individual Boxes

Calves should also be housed in groups rather than individually. Although it’s ideal for calves to stay with their mothers until they are eight to ten months old, an alternative solution is to house calves in groups instead.

Group housing allows calves to engage in beneficial natural social behaviors. It provides opportunities for social interaction, learning, and development not present in individual pens. Group-housed calves tend to show fewer abnormal behaviors and display better social competencies compared to those housed individually.[13]

Appropriate measures can ensure the success of group housing systems that promote calf welfare. Effective management practices, like regular health status monitoring and addressing social dynamics within the group, can help address potential group housing challenges.

Impact if the Optimal Reality is Realized:

323,524 Animals

161,762 Calves
161,762 Cows

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Improving the welfare of 161,762 Flemish calves and their mothers can be achieved if the calves are allowed to stay with their mothers and are no longer individually housed.