Effects of weaning beef cattle in two stages or by abrupt separation on nasal abrasions, behaviour, and weight gain
Christian Lambertz A D , Peter R. Bowen B , Georg Erhardt B and Matthias Gauly A CA Department of Animal Sciences, Georg August University, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
B Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Justus Liebig University, Ludwigstrasse 21b, 35390 Giessen, Germany.
C Free University of Bolzano, Universitätsplatz 5I, 39100 Bozen, Italy.
D Corresponding author. Email: clamber2@gwdg.de
Animal Production Science 55(6) 786-792 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14097
Submitted: 19 February 2014 Accepted: 1 May 2014 Published: 13 June 2014
Abstract
The effects of traditional (n = 103) and two-stage weaning (n = 89) on nasal abrasions, behaviour, and weight gain were evaluated in a total of 192 cow-calf pairs. Two-stage calves were prevented from suckling by fitting nose flaps for 7 days before separation from their mothers. Nasal abrasions caused by the devices were assessed by scoring the irritations of the nasal septum at removal and 1 week later. The behaviour of 20 calves was observed for 3 days before and 4 days after weaning and vocalisations of the cows after separation were recorded. Nasal abrasions were found in more than 95% of the animals at removal, whereas 30% of the animals showed heavy bleeding and 10% suffered from even worse injuries. One week later, 45% of the calves still showed irritations. Cows of the traditional group vocalised 19.2 and those of the two-stage group 3.7 times per hour (P < 0.001). Compared with the pre-weaning period, calves spent more time walking on Days 1 and 2 after weaning (P < 0.01). However, the duration was significantly lower in two-stage than in traditionally weaned animals (P < 0.01). After removal of the devices, the time spent for walking increased again for 2 days. An effect on the weight gain of the calves was not noted. In conclusion, two-stage weaning positively influenced the post-weaning behaviour, but the nose flaps caused heavy nasal abrasions in the calves. Therefore, the design of the devices and the period they are fitted should be modified to minimise nasal abrasions.
Additional keywords: anti-suckling device, behaviour, health.
References
Boland H, Scaglia G, Swecker W, Burke N (2008) Effects of alternate weaning methods on behavior, blood metabolites, and performance of beef calves. The Professional Animal Scientist 24, 539–551.Burke NC, Scaglia G, Boland HT, Swecker WS (2009) Influence of two-stage weaning with subsequent transport on body weight, plasma lipid peroxidation, plasma selenium, and on leukocyte glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activity in beef calves. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 127, 365–370.
| Influence of two-stage weaning with subsequent transport on body weight, plasma lipid peroxidation, plasma selenium, and on leukocyte glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activity in beef calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtFemurY%3D&md5=64b623771fc33901427cfe7c5bf4bf08CAS | 19110316PubMed |
Enríquez DH, Ungerfeld R, Quintans G, Guidoni AL, Hötzel MJ (2010) The effects of alternative weaning methods on behaviour in beef calves. Livestock Science 128, 20–27.
| The effects of alternative weaning methods on behaviour in beef calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Enríquez D, Hötzel MJ, Ungerfeld R (2011) Minimising the stress of weaning of beef calves: a review. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 53, 28
| Minimising the stress of weaning of beef calves: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21569479PubMed |
Fernandes DG, Schild AL, Riet-Correa F, Baialardi CE, Stigger AL (2000) Pituitary abscess in young calves associated with the use of a controlled suckling device. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 12, 70–71.
| Pituitary abscess in young calves associated with the use of a controlled suckling device.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c7lt1Knsg%3D%3D&md5=b63fc78479a40abd139f0f41656f6a3bCAS |
Gibb DJ, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS, Stookey JM, McKinnon JJ, Godson DL, Wiedmeier RD, McAllister TA (2000) Effect of a trainer cow on health, behavior, and performance of newly weaned beef calves. Journal of Animal Science 78, 1716–1725.
Haley D, Stookey J, Clavelle J, Watts J (2001) The simultaneous loss of milk and maternal contact compounds distress at weaning in beef calves. In ‘Proceedings of the 35th international congress of the International Society of Applied Ethology’. (Eds J Garner, J Mench, S Heekin) p. 41. (The Center for Animal Welfare, University of California: Davis, CA)
Haley DB, Bailey DW, Stookey JM (2005) The effects of weaning beef calves in two stages on their behavior and growth rate. Journal of Animal Science 83, 2205–2214.
Lefcourt AM, Elsasser TH (1995) Adrenal responses of Angus × Hereford cattle to the stress of weaning. Journal of Animal Science 73, 2669–2676.
Loberg JM, Hernandez CE, Thierfelder T, Jensen MB, Berg C, Lidfors L (2007) Reaction of foster cows to prevention of suckling from and separation from four calves simultaneously or in two steps. Journal of Animal Science 85, 1522–1529.
| Reaction of foster cows to prevention of suckling from and separation from four calves simultaneously or in two steps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXls1antLo%3D&md5=9bc5c4bf4b0a955909f99bdb8c703623CAS | 17339412PubMed |
Loerch SC, Fluharty FL (2000) Use of trainer animals to improve performance and health of newly arrived feedlot calves. Journal of Animal Science 78, 539–545.
Price EO, Harris JE, Borgward RE, Sween ML, Connor JM (2003) Fenceline contact of beef calves with their dams at weaning reduces the negative effects of separation on behavior and growth rate. Journal of Animal Science 81, 116–121.
Schichowski C, Moors E, Gauly M (2008) Effects of weaning lambs in two stages or by abrupt separation on their behavior and growth rate. Journal of Animal Science 86, 220–225.
| Effects of weaning lambs in two stages or by abrupt separation on their behavior and growth rate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhsVOqsrzJ&md5=4a94280b00d0697fe191e784ef80b674CAS | 17940150PubMed |
Stevens H, Blackie N, Amory JR (2011) The effect of a two step weaning method on the behaviour of six month old Belgian Blue crossbred beef calves. In ‘Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 97’. (Ed. G Simm) p. 97. (Scottish Agricultural College, Edinburgh, UK)
Stookey J, Schwartzkopf-Genswein K, Waltz C, Watts J (1997) Effects of remote and contact weaning on behaviour and weight gain of beef calves. Journal of Animal Science 75, 157 [Abstract]
Ungerfeld R, Hötzel MJ, Scarsi A, Quintans G (2011) Behavioral and physiological changes in early-weaned multiparous and primiparous beef cows. Animal 5, 1270–1275.
| Behavioral and physiological changes in early-weaned multiparous and primiparous beef cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC38vovV2ntw%3D%3D&md5=bdd3d5fc97ac0ddb4ea3ccb7085ac18cCAS | 22440179PubMed |
Veissier I, Le Neindre P (1989) Weaning in calves: Its effects on social organization. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 24, 43–54.
| Weaning in calves: Its effects on social organization.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weary DM, Jasper J, Hötzel MJ (2008) Understanding weaning distress. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 110, 24–41.
| Understanding weaning distress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
