The Effect of Maternal Behavior around Calving on Reproduction and Wellbeing of Zebu Type Cows and Calves

Abstract

The behaviors associated with domestic cattle such as maternal care are quite similar to those behaviors observed in wild ungulates. These behaviors allow the cow to bond with her calf, protect and provide it with nourishment and ultimately reduce the bond at weaning. Although maternal behavior is an important factor influencing the survival and early development of the newborn calf, Zebu type cows around calving have not been studied extensively. Herein, we consider the four main aspects of maternal behavior in cattle and particularly Bos indicus cows and calves. Firstly, we provide a brief description of the behavior of cows around parturition and the behavior of the first stages of the calves’ lives. In the second part, the protective behavior of the mother is analyzed. Subsequently, examples of animal welfare implications followed by an analysis of some factors that affect calf survival, including mother experience and weather conditions, are discussed, and in the last part, reproduction along with some peculiarities of reproductive behavior, and the wellbeing of mother and calves are examined. We concluded that knowledge of maternal behavior of Zebu type cows around calving and interactions with calves might contribute to an enhanced reproductive efficiency of the mother and the welfare of the calf.

Pregnancy, Parturition and Resumption of Ovarian Cyclicity in Beef Cows

“…Stated that Body Condition Score (BCS) can have an effect on post-partum date and subsequent pregnancy rates. As reported by Orihuelaand Galina [21] changes in body reserves are the driving force for a prompt restoration of ovarian activity and pregnancy rather than the time postpartum. Maqhashu, (2016) pointed out that BCS may be used as a management tool for assessing physiological state and, is the most practical method of evaluating energy reserves.…”

“…Additionally it is understood that communal grazing animals suffer mostly from inadequate nutrition [7]. In a number of studies nutritional stress has been demonstrated to reduce resumption of ovarian cyclicity [16,20,21,32,50,60]. Furthermore an ovulation is observed in beef cows managed in pasture-based systems as they display a prolonged PPI [43].…”

“…It was anticipated that oestrus synchronisation of Zebu cows in the current study should translate into higher percentage of animals participating in sexually active groups. This was supposed to lead greater number of animals into oestrus, due to social facilitation and sexual stimulation [21]. The results are partially a testimony to this effect, however the conception rates can still be improved especially through nutrition management or provision of supplements to improve body condition score [25].…”

Dual-Purpose Cattle Raised in Tropical Conditions: What Are Their Shortcomings in Sound Productive and Reproductive Function?

“…In several characterization studies in different parts of Latin America, it has been observed that most farmers use manual milking [ 137 ], wherein the cow is accompanied by her calf ( Figure 4 ). The calf is usually allowed to suckle on residual milk, one teat, or other combinations [ 138 ]. This facilitates the process of milk let down, but has a strong influence on the resumption of ovarian activity, where the effects of suckling, the presence of the calf, and nutritional status all participate [ 139 ].…”

Maternal Behavior in Beef Cattle: The Physiology, Assessment and Future Directions—A Review

“…In beef production systems, successfully raising and nourishing a calf from birth to weaning is dependent on the success of a cow’s mothering ability [ 6 ]. The majority of calf deaths in rangeland environments such as those in North America have been found to occur within the first 24 h to 7 days of life [ 7 ].…”