Welfare problems in dairy calves

Abstract

The most significant welfare problems in dairy calves in intensive rearing conditions have been investigated in this paper. These problems mainly result from inadequate intake of colostrum (separation from the dam), inadequate ventilation (resulting in inappropriate airflow, low or high temperatures, high humidity and poor air quality), poor floor conditions (wet floor, without bedding), inadequate monitoring of health, exposure to pathogens causing respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders and occurrence of iron deficiency. In addition, on cattle farms in our country welfare problems in calves originate from continuous restocking (no "all in - all out") and mixing calves from different sources, as well as insufficiently balanced solid food, insufficient access to water and generally poor response of farmer to health problems, especially necessary dietary changes. A special welfare problem is insufficient floor space allowance which results in calf?s discomfort.