Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/24.3.3880

Analysis of the behaviour of dairy-type Simmental-Fleckvieh calves in outdoor pen-and-shelter systems

Daniel FALTA ; Faculty of AgriSciences (FA MENDELU), Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Tomáš KOPEC orcid.org/0000-0003-2446-0952 ; Faculty of AgriSciences (FA MENDELU), Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Milan VEČEŘA orcid.org/0000-0002-3363-0717 ; Faculty of AgriSciences (FA MENDELU), Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Gustav CHLÁDEK ; Faculty of AgriSciences (FA MENDELU), Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Radek FILIPČÍK orcid.org/0000-0002-5376-5061 ; Faculty of AgriSciences (FA MENDELU), Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Francois Stefanus LATEGAN orcid.org/0000-0002-8802-1417 ; Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies (FRDIS MENDELU), Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Abstract

Calf behaviour in rearing systems is an important indicator of calf welfare and influences efficient dairy production. In this study, the behavioural patterns of dairy calves in outdoor individual pen-and-shelter units were investigated. The study was done over 12 months with 683 Simmental-Fleckvieh calves, kept for two months (pre-weaning) in outdoor individual pen-and-shelter units, and observed at monthly intervals. During the study the calves' lying and moving behaviour in the shelters were separately observed and evaluated. The ambient temperature outdoors was also recorded. Statistically significant relationships between the calf’s season of birth, as well as the age of the calf and the evaluated forms of behaviour, were found. Outdoor ambient temperature was found to have a statistically significant effect on calf preference for standing or lying down. More standing calves than lying calves were recorded outdoors at higher outdoor ambient temperatures. Calves showed a clear preference for lying down, especially in the sheltered parts of the units (64.86%). Only 4.98% of the calves lay outside; 19.18% were standing outside, while 10.98% preferred standing inside the shelter. The calves lying down outside were significantly younger while older calves were lying inside the shelter.

Keywords

dairy; Fleckvieh; standing; lying; temperature

Hrčak ID:

308152

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/308152

Publication date:

8.9.2023.

Article data in other languages: czech

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