Cattle

Welfare of calves and heifers on dairy farms with cow-calf contact rearing or early separation

Early separation (ES) of cow and calf in dairy farming is increasingly questioned due to implications on animal welfare. The aim of this study was to compare the welfare of animals on commercial dairy farms with cow-calf contact (CCC) or...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Rademann, A., Schneider, M. L., Waiblinger, S. 2025. Welfare of calves and heifers on dairy farms with cow-calf contact rearing or early separation. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

A scoping review on pair housing dairy calves: Health and performance outcomes and tactics to reduce cross-sucking behavior

Calves raised in pairs or triplets often experience better growth performance outcomes when compared to their individually housed peers. However, veterinarians may be concerned that pair housing compromises calf health, and producers are concerned about abnormal oral behavior (e.g., cross-sucking)....

Year Published: 2025Topics: Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Plaugher, G. D., Cantor, M. C. 2025. A scoping review on pair housing dairy calves: Health and performance outcomes and tactics to reduce cross-sucking behavior. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

The welfare of cattle in different housing systems

The review provides an overview of research concerning the assessment of cattle welfare in different housing systems. Hence, it restricts its scope to factors known to have a particular influence on the expression of their natural behaviours. It analyses the...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Pilarczyk, B., Pilarczyk, R., Bąkowska, M. et al. 2025. The welfare of cattle in different housing systems. Animals 15(13), 1972.

Efficacy of pain management for cattle castration: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Much research has assessed methods of pain control for cattle castration, but there remains a lack of consensus regarding best practice. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published research including both an untreated control (i.e. castrated without pain...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Nogues, E., Stojkov, J., Stojkova, B. J. et al. 2025. Efficacy of pain management for cattle castration: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Animal Welfare 34, e43.

Voluntary additional welfare monitoring of farm animals used in research: Maximising benefits requires sustained support

The aim of this project was to co-create an animal welfare monitoring system that incorporated both positive and negative welfare measures that would contribute to best practice husbandry standards of farm animals in a real animal research setting. Researchers worked...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Mullan, S., Stokes, J., Hale, H. E. et al. 2025. Voluntary additional welfare monitoring of farm animals used in research: Maximising benefits requires sustained support. Animals 15(19), 2817.

Clinical interpretation of body language and behavioral modifications to recognize pain in domestic mammals

Nonhuman animals use nonverbal cues to communicate their mental state about positive and negative events, including pain. Pain is a multidimensional process that elicits behavioral changes aimed at preventing further damage and promoting healing. These changes include restrictions on movement...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cat, Cattle, Dog, Equine, Goat, Pig

Citation: Mota-Rojas, D., Whittaker, A. L., Lanzoni, L. et al. 2025. Clinical interpretation of body language and behavioral modifications to recognize pain in domestic mammals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Impact of early social housing on the play behavior of neonatal and post-weaning dairy calves

We aimed to assess the impact of early life housing and play experiences on neonatal and weaned calves play behavior. A total of 96 female dairy calves were recruited from four Scottish dairy farms and assigned to individual (n =...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: McKay, C., Ellis, K., Haskell, M. J. et al. 2025. Impact of early social housing on the play behavior of neonatal and post-weaning dairy calves. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals

This 30-chapter volume informs students and professionals about the behavioral biology of animals commonly housed in laboratory and other captive settings. Each species evolved under specific environmental conditions, resulting in unique behavioral patterns, many of which are maintained in captivity...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Baboon, Capuchin, Cat, Cattle, Chicken, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Ferret, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Salamander, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Coleman, K., Schapiro, S. J. (Eds.) 2022. Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals (1st Ed.). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 560 p.

The effects of cow-calf-contact rearing on dairy animals’ social traits – a pilot study

Early separation of the calf from the dam, mostly within 24 h after birth, is common for dairy cows, but cow-calf contact (CCC) rearing gets increasing interest from both practice and science. CCC rearing allows calves suckling their dam or foster...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Magierski, V., Barth, K., Waiblinger, S. 2025. The effects of cow-calf-contact rearing on dairy animals’ social traits – a pilot study. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 284, 106548.

Medical training in dairy heifers – A pilot study

Training is used in various species to reduce fear responses, ease handling, and improve welfare. This pilot study aimed to (1) design a positive reinforcement training program for dairy heifers, (2) monitor their learning performances and short-term memorization, (3) assess...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: de Boyer des Roches, A., Dumoulin, E., Roux, E. et al. 2025. Medical training in dairy heifers – A pilot study. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 286, 106624.