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Behavioral changes in the first 3 weeks after disbudding in dairy calves
Sarah J J Adcock1, Blair C Downey2, Chela Owens2
1Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706; Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616.
Journal of Dairy Science
|July 27, 2023
Summary
Hot-iron disbudding in dairy calves causes significant behavioral changes for at least three weeks post-procedure. These changes, including reduced rumination and increased inactivity, indicate ongoing pain and raise welfare concerns beyond the pain medication period.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Behavior
- Animal Welfare
Background:
- Hot-iron disbudding is a common practice to prevent horn growth in dairy calves.
- The procedure causes acute pain, but long-term behavioral effects during wound healing are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify behavioral changes in dairy calves for three weeks following hot-iron disbudding.
- To assess the duration of behavioral alterations beyond the period of pain relief.
Main Methods:
- Female Holstein calves were either disbudded with pain relief or left as controls.
- Ear tag accelerometers monitored behavior at 1-minute intervals from 3 to 21 days post-disbudding.
- Live observations of sleeping, lying, and ruminating were conducted at specific time points.
Main Results:
- Disbudded calves showed increased inactivity, decreased rumination (accelerometer data), and increased bottle sucking throughout the observation period.
- Live observations indicated more head-down sleeping and increased lying time, but no difference in rumination compared to controls.
- Behavioral changes persisted for at least 21 days, extending beyond the duration of pain medication.
Conclusions:
- Hot-iron disbudding significantly alters dairy calf behavior for at least three weeks.
- These prolonged behavioral changes suggest ongoing pain and raise welfare concerns.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications of increased sucking behavior.
