What type, amount and structure of solid feed do veal calves need for improved behaviour and health?

Description

Veal calves display abnormal oral behaviours, including tongue rolling and playing, excessive oral manipulation of the pen structure, and grazing of other calves’ coat. Abnormal behaviours suggest that certain natural behaviours cannot be performed and that the animals are chronically stressed. In addition, a number of health problems, including ruminal hairballs, abomasal damage and poor rumen development have been observed in veal calves. These problems have been associated with the feeding strategy of veal calves, and in particular solid feed type, amount and structure. To improve the welfare of veal calves it is important to address these problems. Two experiments were conducted to investigate how the type, amount and structure of the solid feed provided might affect calf behaviour and health.

Period	1 Dec 2011
Event title	Nationaal Veterinair Congres
Event type	Conference/symposium
Location	Doorn, NetherlandsShow on map