Dam Rearing of Dairy Calves: The Effect of Duration of Cow-calf-contact on the Strength of the Maternal Bond

Emma Hvidtfeldt Jensen

Dam Rearing of Dairy Calves: The Effect of Duration of Cow-calf-contact on the Strength of the Maternal Bond

Emma Hvidtfeldt Jensen

Institut for Husdyr- og Veterinærvidenskab - ANIVET Adfærd, Stress og Dyrevelfærd (BSW)

Publikation: Typer af afhandling › Ph.d.-afhandling

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Abstract

I konventionel mælkeproduktion bliver ko og kalv typisk adskilt kort efter kælvning. Denne procedure bliver kritiseret af forbrugere, og både landmænd og forskere undersøger i stigende grad alternativer, hvor ko-kalv kontakten kan blive forlænget. Tidligere forskning har typisk fokuseret på kalvens perspektiv, dog vil dette ph.d.-projekt fokusere på koen. Med forlænget ko-kalv kontakt kommer nogle udfordringer: landmanden får højst sandsynligt et reduceret udbytte af salgbar mælk, og både ko og kalv oplever større stress ved adskillelse, da de har kunnet danne et stærkere bånd. Der er derfor et behov for at holde ko og kalv sammen på en måde, hvor både tab af mælk og separationsstress kan reduceres. To foreslåede løsninger er 1) kun at holde ko og kalv sammen i en del af døgnet, og 2) at gradvist fravænne kalven. Under naturlige forhold vil koen gradvist afvise kalvens patteforsøg, men om koen er motiveret for at give kalven die er endnu ukendt. Formålet med dette ph.d.-projekt er derfor at kvantificere køers maternelle motivationer. Mere specifikt 1) at sammenligne styrken af det maternelle bånd mellem malkekøer med enten fuldtids kalvekontakt, deltids kalvekontakt, eller ingen kalvekontakt, og 2) at sammenligne motivationen til at give die mellem køer hvis daglige kalvekontakt gradvist bliver reduceret og køer uden reduceret kalvekontakt.
Denne ph.d.-afhandling bygger på tre videnskabelige studier, der alle var del af det samme store eksperiment. Fireogfirs ko-kalv par blev rekrutteret til eksperimentet og fordelt på tre ko-kalv kontaktbehandlinger: fuldtidskontakt (23 timers kontakt/dagen, kun adskilt mens koen bliver malket i malkestalden), deltidskontakt (10 timers kontakt/dagen, adskilt mellem eftermiddags- og morgenmalkning) og ingen kontakt (0 timers kontakt/dagen, adskilt 48 timer efter kælvning). Disse behandlinger kørte over syv uger (den generelle opfostringsperiode) og var efterfulgt af en periode på to uger med reduceret kontakt. I perioden med reduceret kontakt blev den daglige kontakt for halvdelen af alle fuldtids- og deltidspar reduceret. I den første uge blev daglig kontakt reduceret til omkring 50% af den oprindelige kontakt (til 9,5 timer/dag for fuldtid og 4,5 timer/dag for deltid). I den næste uge blev daglig kontakt yderligere reduceret til omkring 25% af den oprindelige kontakt (til 4,5 timer/dag for fuldtid og 2 timer/dag for deltid). Den daglige kontakt for de resterende køer forblev uændret fra hvad de havde oplevet de første syv uger. Reduceret kontakt blev implementeret for at reducere den daglige mulighed for at patte eller give die, og det var derfor forventet at kalve med reduceret kontakt blev mere ernæringsmæssigt uafhængige af deres mødre og på den måde bedre forberedt på fravænning. I den tiende uge af eksperimentet blev alle køer og kalve permanent separeret.
I Studie I blev den maternelle adfærd hos fuld- og deltidskøer observeret over 24 timer i den tredje uge af den generelle opfostringsperiode. Derudover blev patteadfærden af deres kalve observeret over 24 timer to gange i perioden med reduceret kontakt, én gang efter hver reduktion in kontakt. Studie II og III undersøgte køernes motivationer. Begge studier brugte metoden maksimalt betalte pris. Køerne blev trænet til at passere en låge for at nå ind til deres kalv. Med hver succesfuld passage blev lågen tungere og tungere, og når koen to dage i træk mislykkedes med at passere lågen blev hun noteret som at have nået sin maksimale pris. Jo højere pris betalt, jo stærkere motivation. I Studie II blev køernes maternelle motivation estimeret, mens Studie III estimerede køernes motivation til at give die. Maternel motivation blev målt under den generelle opfostringsperiode, mens diemotivationen blev målt i perioden med reduceret kontakt. Der er en risiko for at dyr bliver frustrerede under maksimalpristesten, og køerne havde derfor altid muligheden for at passere en lettere låge for adgang til en mindre attraktiv ressource. I testen for maternelt bånd var alternativet en fremmed kalv, mens det for diemotivation var delvis kontakt til kalven, hvor diegivning var forhindret. Et sekundært formål for denne ph.d.-afhandling blev derfor at evaluere effekten af at tilbyde disse alternativer i en testsituation.
Studie I fandt at fuldtidskøer brugte mere tid end deltidskøer på diegivning og soignering af kalven, men der var ingen forskel i andelen af die der fandt sted i invers parallel position eller i sandsynligheden for at give die til en fremmed kalv. De to sidste adfærdsmønstre kan fungere som indikatorer for styrken af det maternelle bånd. Reduceret kontakt reducerede ikke nødvendigvis kalvenes patteadfærd for hverken fuld- eller deltidskalve. Studie II fandt ingen forskel i den maternelle motivation mellem fuld- og deltidskøer, mens køer uden kalvekontakt var signifikant mindre motiverede. Studie III viste at reduceret kontakt øgede køers motivation til at give die (signifikant for fuldtid, numerisk for deltid). Køerne udnyttede de tilgængelige alternativer mindre end hvad var forventet ved tilfældighed i begge motivationstests.
Disse resultater indikerer at selvom deltidskøer brugte mindre tid på diegivning end fuldtidskøer, så blev der ikke fundet forskel på de to behandlinger i styrken af det maternelle bånd. Dette resultat kunne indikere at deltidskontakt er et godt alternativ til fuldtid, da det muliggør ko-kalv kontakt, hvilket motivationstestene viser er vigtigt for køerne. På den anden side er den natlig adskillelse muligvis stressende for både ko og kalv. Formålet med perioden med reduceret kontakt var at reducere kalvenes pattetid og på den måde gøre dem mere uafhængige af deres mødre. Køernes motivation til at give die var forventet at blive reduceret af dette. Dog viste det sig at kalve med reduceret kontakt var, til en vis grad, i stand til at bevare deres pattetid. Derudover var køer med reduceret kontakt mere motiveret til at give die, end køer med uændret kontakt. Det lykkedes derfor ikke at inducere fravænning, tværtimod fremstod køerne med reduceret kontakt som endnu mere motiverede til at give die. Dette kunne skyldes kalvenes alder. Kalve var omkring 60 dage gamle, da perioden med reduceret kontakt begyndte. Dette er meget yngre end den naturligt forventede fravænningsalder, som er mellem 6 og 11 måneder. Sandsynligvis havde køerne derfor intet incitament for at fravænne deres kalve på dette tidspunkt. Yderligere forskning i deltidskontakts effekt på køers velfærd, samt hvordan gradvis fravænning i systemer med ko-kalv kontakt bedst initieres, er derfor nødvendig. Derudover bør alternative metoder til at reducere risikoen for frustration i motivationstests også undersøges.

Originalsprog	Engelsk
Udgivelsessted	Aarhus
Udgiver	Aarhus University
Status	Udgivet - 9 apr. 2024

Emneord

Ko-kalv kontakt
Malkekvæg
Dyrevelfærd
Motivation
Positiv velfærd
Dyrs adfærd
Maternel adfærd
Maximum price paid
Consumer demand

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Emma Hvidtfeldt Jensen PhD med forsideForlagets udgivne version, 2,76 MB

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Kan koen få det bedste af begge verdener - positive oplevelser ved at opfostre sin kalv og efterfølgende stressfri adskillelse?
Jensen, M. B. (Deltager), Neave, H. (Deltager), Jensen, E. H. (Deltager), Rault, J.-L. (Deltager) & Bateson, M. (Deltager)
01/01/2021 → 31/08/2024
Projekter: Projekt › Forskning

Citationsformater

@misc{07cd909a5b1c4d91aff252fb58d0c721,

title = "Dam Rearing of Dairy Calves: The Effect of Duration of Cow-calf-contact on the Strength of the Maternal Bond",

abstract = "In dairy production, cow and calf are typically separated shortly after calving. This procedure is criticised by consumers, and both farmers and researchers are increasingly investigating ways to prolong cow-calf contact (CCC). Previous research has mainly focused on the perspectives of the calf; however, the present PhD thesis will focus on the cow. Extended CCC provides some challenges: the farmer may obtain less saleable milk, and cow and calf experience increased stress at separation due to them having formed a strong bond. There is thus a need for managing cows and calves in a way that can reduce saleable milk loss and separation stress. Two suggested solutions are 1) to keep cow and calf together only part of the day and 2) to gradually wean the calf. In natural conditions, the cow will increasingly reject the calf{\textquoteright}s suckling attempts, but whether cows are motivated to nurse their calf has not yet been investigated. The current PhD therefore aimed to quantify the maternal motivations of dairy cows. Specifically, it aimed to 1) compare the strength of the maternal bond between dairy cows with full-time calf contact, part-time calf contact, and no calf contact; and 2) compare the nursing motivation of dairy cows with a gradual reduction in daily CCC to that of cows not experiencing a reduction in calf contact.This PhD project is comprised three studies, which were all part of the same large experiment. Eighty-four cow-calf pairs were enrolled and allocated to one of three CCC treatments: full-time contact (23 h contact/d, only separated when cows were milked in the parlour); part-time contact (10 h contact/d, separated between afternoon and morning milking); or no contact (0 h contact/d, separated 48 h postpartum). These treatments were maintained for seven weeks (the main rearing period) and followed by period of reduced contact for two weeks. In the reduced contact period, half of full- and part-time cow-calf pairs experienced a gradual reduction in daily contact (reduced contact, RC). In the first week of the reduced contact period, the daily contact of RC pairs was reduced to approximately 50% of their original contact (9.5 h/d for full-time, 4.5 h/d for part-time). In the second week, contact was reduced even further to approximately 25% of the original amount (4.5 h/d for full-time, 2 h/d for part-time). The remaining cow-calf pairs maintained the same amount of contact as the first seven weeks (unchanged contact). The RC treatment was implemented as a way of gradually reducing nursing/suckling opportunity and was therefore expected to increase the calves{\textquoteright} nutritional independence, preparing them for weaning. In the tenth week of the experiment, all cows and calves were completely separated.In Study I, the maternal behaviour of full- and part-time cows was observed for 24 h in the third week of the main rearing period, and the suckling behaviour of their calves was observed twice for 24 h during the reduced contact period; once following each reduction in CCC. In Study II and III, the cows{\textquoteright} motivations were assessed; both times using the maximum price paid (MPP) method. Cows were trained to pass through a push gate to reach their calf. The gate became increasingly heavier with every successful passing, and when the cow two days in a row failed to reach her calf, she was recorded as having reached her maximum price. The higher maximum price paid, the stronger the motivation. In Study II, the strength of the cows{\textquoteright} maternal bond was assessed, and in Study III, cows{\textquoteright} motivation to nurse was assessed. The maternal bond strength was measured during the main rearing period, while nursing motivation was measured during the reduced contact period. As there is a risk of animals becoming frustrated during MPP tests, cows always had the option of an easy-available, but less preferred alternative to the valued resource; in the maternal bond test, an unfamiliar calf was available as alternative to the cow{\textquoteright}s own calf, and in the nursing motivation test, partial calf contact, where nursing was prevented, was available as an alternative to full contact, where nursing was possible. A secondary aim of the present PhD thesis was to appraise the effect of providing these alternatives in the MPP test.In Study I, full-time cows spent more time nursing and grooming their calves than part-time cows did; however, no difference could be found regarding amount of nursing taking place in inverse parallel position nor the likelihood of a cow nursing an unrelated calf. These last two behaviours have been suggested as proxies for maternal bond strength. The observations on the calves revealed that reduced contact did not consistently reduce suckling time of neither full- or part-time calves. In Study II, no difference in maternal motivation was found between full- and part-time cows, while no-contact cows were significantly less maternally motivated. In Study III, reduced contact increased cows{\textquoteright} motivation to nurse compared to cows with unchanged calf contact (significantly for full-time, numerically for part-time). The alternative options provided in both motivation tests were used less than expected by random.These results indicate, that even though part-time cows spent less time nursing their calves than full-time cows did, no difference was found in the strength of the maternal bonds formed. This finding may indicate that part-time contact is a good alternative to full-time contact, as it allows cows to be with their calves, which the motivation tests shows is highly important to them. On the other hand, the repeated nightly separation may be stressful to both cow and calf. The aim of the reduced contact period was to reduce calves{\textquoteright} suckling time and make them less dependent on their dam, which was expected to reduce the cows{\textquoteright} motivation to nurse. However, calves with reduced contact appeared able to compensate and maintain some suckling time. Additionally, cows with reduced calf contact were more motivated to nurse their calf than cows with unchanged contact. The gradual reduction was therefore unsuccessful in inducing weaning, instead cows were even more motivated to nurse their calves. This could be due to the age of the calves; the reduced contact period was initiated when calves were around 60 days old, which is much earlier than the expected natural weaning of 6 to 11 months, and the cows may simply not have had incentive to wean their calves at this point in time. Neither an unfamiliar calf nor partial contact appeared able to substitute own calf or ability to nurse, respectively. Further research on the welfare implications of part-time CCC and how to better induce weaning in CCC systems is therefore needed. Additionally, other methods to reduce potential frustration at testing should be investigated.",

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author = "Jensen, {Emma Hvidtfeldt}",

note = "Published January 2024",

year = "2024",

month = apr,

day = "9",

language = "English",

publisher = "Aarhus University",

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T1 - Dam Rearing of Dairy Calves

T2 - The Effect of Duration of Cow-calf-contact on the Strength of the Maternal Bond

AU - Jensen, Emma Hvidtfeldt

N1 - Published January 2024

PY - 2024/4/9

Y1 - 2024/4/9

N2 - In dairy production, cow and calf are typically separated shortly after calving. This procedure is criticised by consumers, and both farmers and researchers are increasingly investigating ways to prolong cow-calf contact (CCC). Previous research has mainly focused on the perspectives of the calf; however, the present PhD thesis will focus on the cow. Extended CCC provides some challenges: the farmer may obtain less saleable milk, and cow and calf experience increased stress at separation due to them having formed a strong bond. There is thus a need for managing cows and calves in a way that can reduce saleable milk loss and separation stress. Two suggested solutions are 1) to keep cow and calf together only part of the day and 2) to gradually wean the calf. In natural conditions, the cow will increasingly reject the calf’s suckling attempts, but whether cows are motivated to nurse their calf has not yet been investigated. The current PhD therefore aimed to quantify the maternal motivations of dairy cows. Specifically, it aimed to 1) compare the strength of the maternal bond between dairy cows with full-time calf contact, part-time calf contact, and no calf contact; and 2) compare the nursing motivation of dairy cows with a gradual reduction in daily CCC to that of cows not experiencing a reduction in calf contact.This PhD project is comprised three studies, which were all part of the same large experiment. Eighty-four cow-calf pairs were enrolled and allocated to one of three CCC treatments: full-time contact (23 h contact/d, only separated when cows were milked in the parlour); part-time contact (10 h contact/d, separated between afternoon and morning milking); or no contact (0 h contact/d, separated 48 h postpartum). These treatments were maintained for seven weeks (the main rearing period) and followed by period of reduced contact for two weeks. In the reduced contact period, half of full- and part-time cow-calf pairs experienced a gradual reduction in daily contact (reduced contact, RC). In the first week of the reduced contact period, the daily contact of RC pairs was reduced to approximately 50% of their original contact (9.5 h/d for full-time, 4.5 h/d for part-time). In the second week, contact was reduced even further to approximately 25% of the original amount (4.5 h/d for full-time, 2 h/d for part-time). The remaining cow-calf pairs maintained the same amount of contact as the first seven weeks (unchanged contact). The RC treatment was implemented as a way of gradually reducing nursing/suckling opportunity and was therefore expected to increase the calves’ nutritional independence, preparing them for weaning. In the tenth week of the experiment, all cows and calves were completely separated.In Study I, the maternal behaviour of full- and part-time cows was observed for 24 h in the third week of the main rearing period, and the suckling behaviour of their calves was observed twice for 24 h during the reduced contact period; once following each reduction in CCC. In Study II and III, the cows’ motivations were assessed; both times using the maximum price paid (MPP) method. Cows were trained to pass through a push gate to reach their calf. The gate became increasingly heavier with every successful passing, and when the cow two days in a row failed to reach her calf, she was recorded as having reached her maximum price. The higher maximum price paid, the stronger the motivation. In Study II, the strength of the cows’ maternal bond was assessed, and in Study III, cows’ motivation to nurse was assessed. The maternal bond strength was measured during the main rearing period, while nursing motivation was measured during the reduced contact period. As there is a risk of animals becoming frustrated during MPP tests, cows always had the option of an easy-available, but less preferred alternative to the valued resource; in the maternal bond test, an unfamiliar calf was available as alternative to the cow’s own calf, and in the nursing motivation test, partial calf contact, where nursing was prevented, was available as an alternative to full contact, where nursing was possible. A secondary aim of the present PhD thesis was to appraise the effect of providing these alternatives in the MPP test.In Study I, full-time cows spent more time nursing and grooming their calves than part-time cows did; however, no difference could be found regarding amount of nursing taking place in inverse parallel position nor the likelihood of a cow nursing an unrelated calf. These last two behaviours have been suggested as proxies for maternal bond strength. The observations on the calves revealed that reduced contact did not consistently reduce suckling time of neither full- or part-time calves. In Study II, no difference in maternal motivation was found between full- and part-time cows, while no-contact cows were significantly less maternally motivated. In Study III, reduced contact increased cows’ motivation to nurse compared to cows with unchanged calf contact (significantly for full-time, numerically for part-time). The alternative options provided in both motivation tests were used less than expected by random.These results indicate, that even though part-time cows spent less time nursing their calves than full-time cows did, no difference was found in the strength of the maternal bonds formed. This finding may indicate that part-time contact is a good alternative to full-time contact, as it allows cows to be with their calves, which the motivation tests shows is highly important to them. On the other hand, the repeated nightly separation may be stressful to both cow and calf. The aim of the reduced contact period was to reduce calves’ suckling time and make them less dependent on their dam, which was expected to reduce the cows’ motivation to nurse. However, calves with reduced contact appeared able to compensate and maintain some suckling time. Additionally, cows with reduced calf contact were more motivated to nurse their calf than cows with unchanged contact. The gradual reduction was therefore unsuccessful in inducing weaning, instead cows were even more motivated to nurse their calves. This could be due to the age of the calves; the reduced contact period was initiated when calves were around 60 days old, which is much earlier than the expected natural weaning of 6 to 11 months, and the cows may simply not have had incentive to wean their calves at this point in time. Neither an unfamiliar calf nor partial contact appeared able to substitute own calf or ability to nurse, respectively. Further research on the welfare implications of part-time CCC and how to better induce weaning in CCC systems is therefore needed. Additionally, other methods to reduce potential frustration at testing should be investigated.

AB - In dairy production, cow and calf are typically separated shortly after calving. This procedure is criticised by consumers, and both farmers and researchers are increasingly investigating ways to prolong cow-calf contact (CCC). Previous research has mainly focused on the perspectives of the calf; however, the present PhD thesis will focus on the cow. Extended CCC provides some challenges: the farmer may obtain less saleable milk, and cow and calf experience increased stress at separation due to them having formed a strong bond. There is thus a need for managing cows and calves in a way that can reduce saleable milk loss and separation stress. Two suggested solutions are 1) to keep cow and calf together only part of the day and 2) to gradually wean the calf. In natural conditions, the cow will increasingly reject the calf’s suckling attempts, but whether cows are motivated to nurse their calf has not yet been investigated. The current PhD therefore aimed to quantify the maternal motivations of dairy cows. Specifically, it aimed to 1) compare the strength of the maternal bond between dairy cows with full-time calf contact, part-time calf contact, and no calf contact; and 2) compare the nursing motivation of dairy cows with a gradual reduction in daily CCC to that of cows not experiencing a reduction in calf contact.This PhD project is comprised three studies, which were all part of the same large experiment. Eighty-four cow-calf pairs were enrolled and allocated to one of three CCC treatments: full-time contact (23 h contact/d, only separated when cows were milked in the parlour); part-time contact (10 h contact/d, separated between afternoon and morning milking); or no contact (0 h contact/d, separated 48 h postpartum). These treatments were maintained for seven weeks (the main rearing period) and followed by period of reduced contact for two weeks. In the reduced contact period, half of full- and part-time cow-calf pairs experienced a gradual reduction in daily contact (reduced contact, RC). In the first week of the reduced contact period, the daily contact of RC pairs was reduced to approximately 50% of their original contact (9.5 h/d for full-time, 4.5 h/d for part-time). In the second week, contact was reduced even further to approximately 25% of the original amount (4.5 h/d for full-time, 2 h/d for part-time). The remaining cow-calf pairs maintained the same amount of contact as the first seven weeks (unchanged contact). The RC treatment was implemented as a way of gradually reducing nursing/suckling opportunity and was therefore expected to increase the calves’ nutritional independence, preparing them for weaning. In the tenth week of the experiment, all cows and calves were completely separated.In Study I, the maternal behaviour of full- and part-time cows was observed for 24 h in the third week of the main rearing period, and the suckling behaviour of their calves was observed twice for 24 h during the reduced contact period; once following each reduction in CCC. In Study II and III, the cows’ motivations were assessed; both times using the maximum price paid (MPP) method. Cows were trained to pass through a push gate to reach their calf. The gate became increasingly heavier with every successful passing, and when the cow two days in a row failed to reach her calf, she was recorded as having reached her maximum price. The higher maximum price paid, the stronger the motivation. In Study II, the strength of the cows’ maternal bond was assessed, and in Study III, cows’ motivation to nurse was assessed. The maternal bond strength was measured during the main rearing period, while nursing motivation was measured during the reduced contact period. As there is a risk of animals becoming frustrated during MPP tests, cows always had the option of an easy-available, but less preferred alternative to the valued resource; in the maternal bond test, an unfamiliar calf was available as alternative to the cow’s own calf, and in the nursing motivation test, partial calf contact, where nursing was prevented, was available as an alternative to full contact, where nursing was possible. A secondary aim of the present PhD thesis was to appraise the effect of providing these alternatives in the MPP test.In Study I, full-time cows spent more time nursing and grooming their calves than part-time cows did; however, no difference could be found regarding amount of nursing taking place in inverse parallel position nor the likelihood of a cow nursing an unrelated calf. These last two behaviours have been suggested as proxies for maternal bond strength. The observations on the calves revealed that reduced contact did not consistently reduce suckling time of neither full- or part-time calves. In Study II, no difference in maternal motivation was found between full- and part-time cows, while no-contact cows were significantly less maternally motivated. In Study III, reduced contact increased cows’ motivation to nurse compared to cows with unchanged calf contact (significantly for full-time, numerically for part-time). The alternative options provided in both motivation tests were used less than expected by random.These results indicate, that even though part-time cows spent less time nursing their calves than full-time cows did, no difference was found in the strength of the maternal bonds formed. This finding may indicate that part-time contact is a good alternative to full-time contact, as it allows cows to be with their calves, which the motivation tests shows is highly important to them. On the other hand, the repeated nightly separation may be stressful to both cow and calf. The aim of the reduced contact period was to reduce calves’ suckling time and make them less dependent on their dam, which was expected to reduce the cows’ motivation to nurse. However, calves with reduced contact appeared able to compensate and maintain some suckling time. Additionally, cows with reduced calf contact were more motivated to nurse their calf than cows with unchanged contact. The gradual reduction was therefore unsuccessful in inducing weaning, instead cows were even more motivated to nurse their calves. This could be due to the age of the calves; the reduced contact period was initiated when calves were around 60 days old, which is much earlier than the expected natural weaning of 6 to 11 months, and the cows may simply not have had incentive to wean their calves at this point in time. Neither an unfamiliar calf nor partial contact appeared able to substitute own calf or ability to nurse, respectively. Further research on the welfare implications of part-time CCC and how to better induce weaning in CCC systems is therefore needed. Additionally, other methods to reduce potential frustration at testing should be investigated.

KW - Ko-kalv kontakt

KW - Malkekvæg

KW - Dyrevelfærd

KW - Motivation

KW - Positiv velfærd

KW - Dyrs adfærd

KW - Maternel adfærd

KW - Maximum price paid

KW - Consumer demand

KW - Cow-calf contact

KW - Dairy cattle

KW - Animal welfare

KW - Motivation

KW - Positive welfare

KW - Animal behavior

KW - Maternal behavior

KW - Maximum price paid

KW - Consumer demand

M3 - PhD thesis

PB - Aarhus University

CY - Aarhus

ER -

Dam Rearing of Dairy Calves: The Effect of Duration of Cow-calf-contact on the Strength of the Maternal Bond

Abstract

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Kan koen få det bedste af begge verdener - positive oplevelser ved at opfostre sin kalv og efterfølgende stressfri adskillelse?

Citationsformater