Calf Occasional stroking promotes weight gain

When caressing calves regularly, they develop a good relationship with the owner and apparently gain weight faster. This is the result of a study by the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, for which 104 Holstein calves were examined. The friendly handling of the animals can also be economically viable for dairy farms. Earlier studies have shown that calves with a rapid weight gain after birth later than cow also give more milk.
In conventional dairy farming, calves are usually separated directly from their mothers and then kept individually or in groups. The Viennese scientists had caressed every second calf after the birth for 14 days for three minutes a day and talked to him in a friendly way. For this purpose, they chose a spot on the neck, where the animals are obviously particularly happy to be touched.

Many strokes help with the rearing. Image: t_wirth - fotolia

At the time of weaning (90 days post-partum) the previously caressed calves were heavier than those who did not receive such attention. The weight gain was increased by three percent. That would later correspond to an additional production of 50 kilograms of milk per year. Presumably, calves can put more energy into growth, as they show less fear reactions to humans and therefore have lower energy expenditure. In addition, the stroking can lead to the release of hormones such as oxytocin and messengers in the gastrointestinal tract, which promote weight gain.

Furthermore, the scientists used the so-called avoidance distance test to examine the quality of the human-animal relationship. It is determined from which distance the calf turns away when a person known to them from the front of the animal. If the animals have confidence, the avoidance distance is low. The stroked calves did not evade humans as fast as animals from the control group.

The scientists recommend farmers to maintain regular contact with the animals - even if three minutes a day and calf are barely achievable. The friendly treatment over a longer period of time definitely has positive effects - on the welfare of the animal and ultimately also on the economic level. (Heike Kreutz, aid)