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The effect of cow-calf separation on the maternal behaviour of the Cow (Bos taurus)
370
The Effect of C o w - C a l f S e p a r a t i o n on the M a t e r n a l B e h a v i o u r o f the C o w (Bos taurus)
J.P. K E N T and E.P. KELLY
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (Ireland)
ABSTRACT
This study was directed towards acquiring an understanding of the development of the relationship between the cow and her own calf, with a view towards the fostering of additional calves onto the cow. Friesian cows and their'calves were used in the experiments. The calf remained with the mother for the first 24 or 96 h after birth, The cow could discriminate between her own and an alien calf of a similar age, breed and colour at 24 h after birth. After separating the cow and calf at 24 or 96 h, the cow was unable to discriminate between her own calf and an alien 3 days later. Thus 3 days maternal separation was sufficientto break down the bond between the cow and her calf. Despite this period of separation, the cow showed a high level of responsiveness to calves on tests subsequent to the separation. However, with primiparous cows the decline in maternal responsiveness proceeded at a more rapid rate than with multiparous cows. This is attributed to the effects of previous maternal experience rendering the multiparous cows more responsive to calves on a subsequent parturition. In another experiment, cows w h o had littleor no contact with their own calfafter birth did not show the same level of maternal responsiveness at96 h after birth as cows w h o remained with their own calf for the first 24 h. Thus contact between the cow and her calf plays a role in the development of maternal responsiveness. It is proposed that after birth the cow is in a maternally responsive state and develops a bond with her calf. This enables the cow to discriminate (recognition) between her own and alien calves. After 3 days separation following 24 or 96 h contact between the cow and calf after birth, the cow did not discriminate between her own and an alien calf.Yet the cow was responsive to calves. It is proposed that to facilitatethe fostering of calves it would be useful to leave the cow with her own calffor the first24 h after birth, then separate the cow from her o w n calf for 3 days, afterwhich the cow willbe responsive to her own and an alien or alien calves.At this time fostering should be achieved more easily.
The Effect of C o w - C a l f S e p a r a t i o n on the M a t e r n a l B e h a v i o u r o f the C o w (Bos taurus)
J.P. K E N T and E.P. KELLY
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (Ireland)
ABSTRACT
This study was directed towards acquiring an understanding of the development of the relationship between the cow and her own calf, with a view towards the fostering of additional calves onto the cow. Friesian cows and their'calves were used in the experiments. The calf remained with the mother for the first 24 or 96 h after birth, The cow could discriminate between her own and an alien calf of a similar age, breed and colour at 24 h after birth. After separating the cow and calf at 24 or 96 h, the cow was unable to discriminate between her own calf and an alien 3 days later. Thus 3 days maternal separation was sufficientto break down the bond between the cow and her calf. Despite this period of separation, the cow showed a high level of responsiveness to calves on tests subsequent to the separation. However, with primiparous cows the decline in maternal responsiveness proceeded at a more rapid rate than with multiparous cows. This is attributed to the effects of previous maternal experience rendering the multiparous cows more responsive to calves on a subsequent parturition. In another experiment, cows w h o had littleor no contact with their own calfafter birth did not show the same level of maternal responsiveness at96 h after birth as cows w h o remained with their own calf for the first 24 h. Thus contact between the cow and her calf plays a role in the development of maternal responsiveness. It is proposed that after birth the cow is in a maternally responsive state and develops a bond with her calf. This enables the cow to discriminate (recognition) between her own and alien calves. After 3 days separation following 24 or 96 h contact between the cow and calf after birth, the cow did not discriminate between her own and an alien calf.Yet the cow was responsive to calves. It is proposed that to facilitatethe fostering of calves it would be useful to leave the cow with her own calffor the first24 h after birth, then separate the cow from her o w n calf for 3 days, afterwhich the cow willbe responsive to her own and an alien or alien calves.At this time fostering should be achieved more easily.