The Main Welfare Problems in Dairy animals (Cow, calves)

Dairy cattle face several welfare challenges due to modern intensive production systems. These problems affect their health, behaviour, productivity, and overall well-being.

a. Lameness

• One of the most serious welfare problems in dairy cows.
• Caused by: poor flooring, overgrown hooves, infections (digital dermatitis, sole ulcers), poor housing hygiene.
• Leads to: chronic pain, reduced mobility, lower feed intake, reduced milk yield, and early culling.
• Prevalence in intensive systems: often >20–30%.

b. Mastitis

• Inflammation of the udder, caused by bacterial infections (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli).
• Associated with poor hygiene, improper milking practices, and stress.
• Causes pain, fever, reduced milk yield, discarded milk, and in severe cases, systemic illness.
• Chronic mastitis leads to early culling.

c. Poor Housing and Comfort Problems

• Cubicle housing issues: poorly designed cubicles cause injuries, pressure sores, and reduced lying times.
• Hard or slippery floors: increase risk of lameness and falls.
• Overcrowding: limits access to feed and lying space, causing stress and aggression.
• Heat stress: common in hot climates, reducing feed intake, fertility, and milk production.

d. Feeding and Nutritional Problems

• Negative energy balance after calving leads to metabolic disorders (ketosis, fatty liver).
• Acidosis from high-concentrate diets increases risk of lameness and digestive problems.
• Competition at feed bunks in overcrowded housing leads to stress and poor feed intake in subordinate cows.

e. Reproductive and Calving Problems

• Dystocia (difficult calving): often due to large calf size or poor management at calving.
• Retained placenta and uterine infections: cause pain, poor fertility, and reduced milk production.
• Calving management: inadequate supervision leads to higher mortality of cows and calves.

f. Calf Welfare Problems

i. Early Separation from Dam

• Common practice within hours after birth.
• Causes distress for both cow and calf, vocalization, and abnormal behaviour.

ii. Colostrum Management

• Inadequate intake of good-quality colostrum within first 6 hours leads to failure of passive immunity transfer.

iii. Housing Issues

• Calves often kept in barren pens or individual hutches without social contact.
• Lack of bedding and poor hygiene leads to respiratory and diarrheal diseases.

iv. Dehorning and Castration

• Often performed without pain relief, causing acute and chronic pain.

g. Health Problems

• Infectious diseases: respiratory disease complex in calves, Johne’s disease, BVD, etc.
• Parasites: internal and external parasites causing weight loss, discomfort, and poor growth.
• High culling rates: due to chronic disease, lameness, infertility, or poor body condition.

h. Behavioural Problems and Stress

• Lack of space and enrichment prevents natural behaviours such as grooming, lying, and social interaction.
• Rough handling during milking, transport, or veterinary procedures causes fear and distress.
• Weaning stress in calves leads to abnormal vocalization, reduced feed intake, and growth checks.