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Social Housing

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Cattle are social animals. Keeping them alone results in changes in their behavior. These changes depend on the age of the animal. In the case of milk-fed calves, individually housed animals are more fearful of novel items and unfamiliar calves compared to pair- or group-housed calves. Group housing can improve growth and social interactions in calves.

​Which animals to assess:

Evaluate milk-fed calves based on the sampling guidelines.

How to assess:

Calves must be housed in pairs or groups (either of peers or adults) by 8 days of age. Tethering in proximity to other animals is not acceptable.

​Birth dates on ear tags, body size, and wet hair can be used to determine calf age.
Acceptable
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This calf is newly born, based on the wet coat
Unacceptable
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This calf is older than 8 days

There is currently no repeatability test for this measure.
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  • Home
  • Training & Homework
  • Learn how to assess
  • Test your repeatability
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