Management practices affecting calves welfare on farms in Slovenia

Jožica Ježek (Author), Petra Grabnar (Author), Barbara Beci (Author), Martina Klinkon (Author), Marija Nemec (Author), Jaka Jakob Hodnik (Author), Jože Starič (Author)

Abstract

Calf rearing practices in Slovenian herds were investigated with questionnaire-based survey. The data was obtained from 293 farms in Slovenia about their management, especially milk and colostrum feeding protocol, manner of weaning, housing, hygiene on the farm and biosecurity measures. Majority of respondents think the colostrum supply is very important. In 77% of farms, calves receive the first colostrum meal within 2 hours after birth. Quality of colostrum is not considered in 59% of farms. The temperature of colostrum and milk check 73% of farmers, however majority do it manually without using thermometer. Farmers weans calves gradually, mostly considering the age at weaning (45%). Calves are weaned at mean age of 14.18 weeks. In 57.3% of farms, newborn calves are housed in individual pens. Thirty four percent of farmers are cleaning pens for newborn calves after each calf. Half of farmers observe their calves more than 15 minutes daily. Different biosecurity measures are used in 98% of farms. Many farmers are well aware that calf rearing management bear on later milk and meat production and some would need more persuasion to follow the appropriate management practices.

Keywords

Animal welfare;animal housing;management;colostrum;biosecurity;cattle;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2019
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL VF - Veterinary Faculty
UDC:	636.09
COBISS:	4892026
ISSN:	1211-8516
Views:	317
Downloads:	111
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary keywords:	Colostrum;Weaning;Housing;Cattle;
Type (COBISS):	Article
Pages:	str. 1147-1152
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ67
Issue:	ǂšt. ǂ5
Chronology:	2019
DOI:	10.11118/actaun201967051147
ID:	12195562