Abstract #224

# 224
The effect of automated calf feeders on calf welfare.
Kelly H. Leatherman*1, David R. Winston1, Robert E. James1, 1Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.

The dairy calf usually spends its first 6 to 8 weeks in individual pens. The reasons for this practice are to provide individual calf care and to prevent disease. However, there is a push from consumers to consider the welfare of dairy calves by moving away from individually housed, limit fed calves to a system of group housed calves fed ad libitum. The inclusion of an automated calf feeder into a farm’s calf rearing program would, if managed correctly, provide the opportunity to increase the overall welfare of dairy calves. Group housed calves tend to be more relaxed when introduced to new situations and are quieter during the weaning process as opposed to their individually housed counterparts (Vieira et al., 2010). By using automated calf feeding systems, calf growers can offer more milk, more often to calves. Calves on automated calf feeders with an ad libitum milk feeding program consume up to 10 kg of milk per day (Jensen and Weary, 2002) which is similar to how a calf would nurse if left with the cow. Calf growing programs that incorporate an automated calf feeder can greatly increase the welfare of pre-weaned calves though increased nutrition and reduced stress.

Key Words: automatic calf feeder, calf management