TY - JOUR
T1 - Limited Short-Term Effects of Tactile Stimulation on the Welfare of Newborn Nellore Calves
AU - Cerezo, Mariana Parra
AU - Brusin, Victor
AU - Trindade, Pedro Henrique Esteves
AU - Hernandez, Adalinda
AU - Jung, Jens
AU - Berg, Charlotte
AU - da Costa, Mateus Jose Rodrigues Paranhos
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 by the authors.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tactile stimulation on calf welfare. A total of 54 Nellore calves were assessed, with 28 of them receiving tactile stimulation (WTS) for similar to 60 s and 26 serving as a control. Five body movements and seven facial expressions were scored. Heart rates (HRs) were recorded in three situations: when the calves were placed in lateral recumbency (HR1), during identification procedures (HR2), and after completion of identification procedures (HR3). The differences between HR3 and HR1, as well as HR3 and HR2 were calculated. Initial and weaning weights were recorded, and ADG and weaning weights adjusted to 240 days were determined. Tactile stimulation significantly influenced "head movements", "third eyelid" exposure, "eye-opening", and "strained nostrils". Except for "strained nostrils", WTS calves exhibited higher scores in these behavioral categories. Treatment also influenced the difference between HR3 and HR2 (p 0.05). We conclude that tactile stimulation of newborn Nellore calves during their initial handling has the potential to enhance their short-term welfare, but only to a limited extent.
AB - This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tactile stimulation on calf welfare. A total of 54 Nellore calves were assessed, with 28 of them receiving tactile stimulation (WTS) for similar to 60 s and 26 serving as a control. Five body movements and seven facial expressions were scored. Heart rates (HRs) were recorded in three situations: when the calves were placed in lateral recumbency (HR1), during identification procedures (HR2), and after completion of identification procedures (HR3). The differences between HR3 and HR1, as well as HR3 and HR2 were calculated. Initial and weaning weights were recorded, and ADG and weaning weights adjusted to 240 days were determined. Tactile stimulation significantly influenced "head movements", "third eyelid" exposure, "eye-opening", and "strained nostrils". Except for "strained nostrils", WTS calves exhibited higher scores in these behavioral categories. Treatment also influenced the difference between HR3 and HR2 (p 0.05). We conclude that tactile stimulation of newborn Nellore calves during their initial handling has the potential to enhance their short-term welfare, but only to a limited extent.
KW - average daily gain
KW - cow-calf operation
KW - heart rate
KW - human-animal interaction
KW - qualitative behavior assessment
KW - average daily gain
KW - cow-calf operation
KW - heart rate
KW - human-animal interaction
KW - qualitative behavior assessment
UR - https://res.slu.se/id/publ/141797
U2 - 10.3390/vetsci12040393
DO - 10.3390/vetsci12040393
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 40284895
AN - SCOPUS:105003694860
SN - 2306-7381
VL - 12
JO - Veterinary Sciences
JF - Veterinary Sciences
IS - 4
M1 - 393
ER -