Factors Affecting the Welfare of Unweaned Dairy Calves Destined for Early Slaughter and Abattoir Animal-Based Indicators Reflecting Their Welfare On-Farm

Abstract

In many dairy industries, but particularly those that are pasture-based and have seasonal calving, “surplus calves,” which are mostly male, are killed at a young age because they are of low value and it is not economically viable to raise them. Such calves are either killed on farm soon after birth or sent for slaughter at an abattoir. In countries where calves are sent for slaughter the age ranges from 3-4 days (New Zealand and Australia; “bobby calves”) to 3-4 weeks (e.g., Ireland); they are not weaned. All calves are at the greatest risk of death in the 1st month of life but when combined with their low value, this makes surplus calves destined for early slaughter (i.e., <1 month of age) particularly vulnerable to poor welfare while on-farm. The welfare of these calves may also be compromised during transport and transit through markets and at the abattoir. There is growing recognition that feedback to farmers of results from animal-based indicators (ABI) of welfare (including health) collected prior to and after slaughter can protect animal welfare. Hence, the risk factors for poor on-farm, in-transit and at-abattoir calf welfare combined with an ante and post mortem (AM/PM) welfare assessment scheme specific to calves <1 month of age are outlined. This scheme would also provide an evidence base with which to identify farms on which such animals are more at risk of poor welfare. The following ABIs, at individual or batch level, are proposed: AM indicators include assessment of age (umbilical maturity), nutritional status (body condition, dehydration), behavioral status (general demeanor, posture, able to and stability while standing and moving, shivering, vocalizations, oral behaviors/cross-sucking, fearfulness, playing), and evidence of disease processes (locomotory ability [lameness], cleanliness/fecal soiling [scour], injuries hairless patches, swellings, wounds], dyspnoea/coughing, nasal/ocular discharge, navel swelling/discharge); PM measures include assessment of feeding adequacy (abomasal contents, milk in rumen, visceral fat reserves) and evidence of disease processes (omphalitis, GIT disorders, peritonitis, abscesses [internal and external], arthritis, septicaemia, and pneumonia). Based on similar models in other species, this information can be used in a positive feedback loop not only to protect and improve calf welfare but also to inform on-farm calf welfare management plans, support industry claims regarding animal welfare and benchmark welfare performance nationally and internationally.

Analysis of bovine postmortem condemnation data in France: Contributions from a comprehensive and standardised information system at the slaughterhouse

“…These analyses could be used to assess the extent to which AMI is predictive of PMI and to strengthen, if necessary, PMI systems based on the risk assessed during AMI. Finally, AMI and PMI data could also be used to improve animal welfare at the farm level by collecting animal‐based measures at the slaughterhouse 29–32 . All these study perspectives would contribute to the implementation of a modernised inspection, in line with current European efforts to achieve a more cost‐effective detection of public health hazards.…”

“…Finally, AMI and PMI data could also be used to improve animal welfare at the farm level by collecting animal-based measures at the slaughterhouse. [29][30][31][32] All these study perspectives would contribute to the implementation of a modernised inspection, in line with current European efforts to achieve a more cost-effective detection of public health hazards. collected slaughterhouse data.…”

Navel healing in male and female Holstein calves over the first 14 days of life: A longitudinal cohort study

“…In some countries, transport regulations for neonatal calves include minimum age and navel condition requirements (Boyle and Mee, 2021;Creutzinger et al, 2021). The extent of navel healing, specifically identifying the presence of a navel cord remnant and evaluating the level of tissue desiccation, have been used to estimate calf maturity and suitability for transportation and marketing (Hides and Hannah, 2005;Boyle and Mee, 2021;Creutzinger et al, 2021).…”

Perspectives for Buck Kids in Dairy Goat Farming

“…In contrast, much fewer male kids (buck kids) are raised to serve reproduction, resulting in a surplus number of male offspring. Similar to other agricultural sectors specialized on female derived products (dairy, eggs), practical and ethical issues arise as there are only limited purposes for surplus male offspring (2)(3)(4)(5)(6).…”