Effect of individual versus group rearing on ethological and physiological responses of crossbred calves

Abstract

A repeated measure linear model was used to study the impact of rearing systems, individual versus group, on ethological and physiological response of crossbred (Bosindicus×Bostaurus) calves during 1 h pre- and post-milk feeding in the morning as well as evening at different ages (2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks). Eighteen calves were taken in each group on the basis of their birth weight and housed individually (220cm×116cm per calf) or in group pens (220cm×103cm per calf). The calves were fed colostrum for 3 days and thereafter were allotted to standard milk feeding schedules, milk, 1/10th of body weight (BW) during 4 days to 4 weeks, 1/15th of BW during 5–6 weeks and then, 1/20th of BW to wean at 8 weeks of age. Calf starter and green fodder were fed ad libitum to all the calves beginning from the second week of age. Different behavioural activities like feed and water consumption, rumination, licking and cross-sucking, stereotypes, socialisation of all the calves were recorded. Group housed calves spent more time eating solid feeds (19.3 versus 14.4) with relatively higher dry matter consumption (399±35 g versus 330±33 g). The time spent in licking of inanimate objects (2.10 versus 1.37) and abnormal cross-sucking behaviours (4.8 versus 3.1) were higher in group than individual systems of housing. But the time spent for idle standing and sleeping/lying activities were more in individual housing (33.7 versus 25.9). Rumination was observed as early age at the 2nd week of age, and preferably for more time in group housed calves. Group housed calves spent less time for milk sucking (s/l of milk) during all periods of observations with an average of 30.10 compared to 41.97 in individually reared ones. The rectal temperature, respiration and pulse rate were not affected by housing system or feeding schedules. Early learning and increase in solid feed consumption, greater access to space and better social interaction elicit better welfare in group housed calves than the individual ones.