Development of a welfare assessment protocol for dairy calves from birth through to weaning
Open accessAbstract
The aim of this study was to develop a welfare assessment protocol using different indicators, for pre-weaned dairy calves, that is feasible and time efficient. To this end, the protocol had to combine animal-based indicators (measurements on physiology, general appearance and behaviour) providing the basis for welfare assessment, with resource-based indicators (measurements on management and the environment) providing the basis for identifying risk factors. Indicators, both animal-and resource-based, were selected by a review of existing literature and a process of expert consultation. Following the formulation phase, the protocol was then applied on five Irish dairy farms to develop further for completeness and on-farm feasibility. After each on-farm application, the protocol was critically evaluated, and modifications were made accordingly. Upon completion of the on-farm application phase, a feasible, reliable and time-efficient protocol was produced.
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References 87 · Cited by 27
- Authors
- Barry, J., Kennedy, E., Sayers, R., de Boer, I., & Bokkers, E.
- Affiliations
- Teagasc - The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (IE)
- Wageningen University & Research (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Kennedy, E
- Venue
- Animal Welfare
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2019-08
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 331-344
- ISSN
- 0962-7286 (ISSN-L)
- 2054-1538
- OpenAlex
- W2975944915
- Cited by
- 27
- References
- 87
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 3.64
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- research.wur.nl
- Locations
- Animal Welfare (publishedVersion)
- Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal health and immunology
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Sustainable Agricultural Systems Analysis
- Keywords
- welfare assessment protocol, pre-weaned calves, animal-based welfare indicators, calf behavior, residential environment, risk factors, weaning
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