Preweaning dairy calves' preferences for outdoor access

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Behavioral Ecology
• Livestock Management

Background:

• Adult dairy cattle prefer outdoor access during summer nights.
• Limited research exists on outdoor space preferences of dairy calves.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate dairy calf preferences for outdoor access during their initial 11 weeks of life under summer conditions.
• To identify factors influencing outdoor space utilization by young dairy calves.

Main Methods:

• Ten pairs of calves were housed in pens with equal indoor and outdoor areas from 7 days of age.
• Calf behavior (inside/outside, lying/standing, sun/shade) was recorded via video and analyzed using scan sampling.
• Milk feeding was gradually reduced, and calves were weaned by 56 days of age, remaining in the study until approximately 72 days.

Main Results:

• Calves spent approximately one-third of their time outdoors, with reduced usage during rain.
• Outdoor time increased during the first 6 weeks, then decreased and stabilized from week 7 to 11.
• Higher average daily gain and approximately 50% white coat color correlated with increased outdoor time.
• Post-weaning, calves spent more time in the shade when outdoors.
• Calves spent more time standing outdoors than indoors during the first 4 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Dairy calves, when provided the option, utilize outdoor spaces during summer.
• Calf outdoor activity is influenced by environmental variables such as weather and age.
• Individual calf characteristics, including growth rate and coat color, affect outdoor space preference.
• Behavioral patterns, such as time spent in sun/shade and standing/lying, change with age and post-weaning.