The impact of vertical vibrations on the welfare of calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the heart rate, body temperature, saliva cortisol levels and behaviour of young calves during transport simulation, and to define comfort conditions for calves related to the frequency and acceleration of vibration. Calves with an average age of 22 days were vibrated in the vertical direction for 2 hours at 2, 4, 8 and 12 Hz, in combination with root mean square (RMS) acceleration magnitudes 1 or 3 m/s2. Welfare and stress were quantified by measuring changes of heart rate, body temperature, cortisol concentration in saliva and behaviour. Treatments with acceleration 3 m/s2 had the largest impact on the animals. Stress response was larger in combination with 2 Hz, especially during the first hour of the experiment. Treatment 12 Hz in combination with acceleration 3 m/s2 had initially no influence on the animals, but towards the end of the treatment the calves started to express a stress response. From these results we can conclude that certain vibrations are stressful for calves and those can impair the welfare during transport.