Lorenz Ingrid
Bavarian Animal Health Service, Poing, Germany.
Ir Vet J. 2021 Mar 16;74(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s13620-021-00185-3.
Research on calf health and welfare has intensified in the past decades. This is an update on a review series on calf health from birth to weaning published ten years ago.Good colostrum management is still recognised as the single most important factor to preventing calf morbidity and mortality, however, it is now known that immunoglobulins are only one of many components of colostrum that are vital for the calf's development. Other non-nutrient factors like leucocytes, hormones and growth factors, oligosaccharides as well as microRNAs have significant effects on the development and maturation of the intestinal and systemic immune functions. They also promote the maturation and function of the intestine, thus enabling the calf to digest and absorb the nutrients provided with colostrum and milk. The improved energetic status of colostrum-fed neonates is reflected by an accelerated maturation of the somatotropic axis, which stimulates body growth and organ development. Colostrum oligosaccharides are presumed to play a major role in the development of a healthy intestinal flora.A biologically normal (intensive) milk-feeding programme is subsequently necessary for optimal body growth, organ development and resistance to infectious diseases. Ad-libitum or close to ad-libitum feeding in the first three to four weeks of life also leaves calves less hungry thus improving calf welfare. Only calves fed intensively with colostrum and milk are able to reach their full potential for performance throughout their life.Public interest in farm animal welfare is growing in past decades, which makes it necessary to have a closer look at contentious management practices in the dairy industry like early separation of the dairy calf from the dam with subsequent individual housing. Public objection to these practices cannot be mitigated through educational efforts. Contrary to common opinion there is no evidence that early cow-calf separation is beneficial for the health of calf or cow. There is evidence of behavioural and developmental harm associated with individual housing in dairy calves, social housing improves feed intake and weight gains, and health risks associated with grouping can be mitigated with appropriate management.In conclusion, there are still many management practices commonly applied, especially in the dairy industry, which are detrimental to health and welfare of calves.
在过去几十年里，对犊牛健康和福利的研究不断加强。本文是对十年前发表的一系列关于犊牛从出生到断奶健康状况综述的更新。优质的初乳管理仍然被认为是预防犊牛发病和死亡的最重要单一因素，然而，现在已知免疫球蛋白只是初乳中对犊牛发育至关重要的众多成分之一。其他非营养因素，如白细胞、激素和生长因子、寡糖以及微小核糖核酸，对肠道和全身免疫功能的发育和成熟有显著影响。它们还促进肠道的成熟和功能，从而使犊牛能够消化和吸收初乳和牛奶提供的营养。初乳喂养的新生犊牛能量状态的改善体现在生长激素轴的加速成熟上，这刺激了身体生长和器官发育。初乳寡糖被认为在健康肠道菌群的发育中起主要作用。随后，为了实现最佳的身体生长、器官发育和对传染病的抵抗力，需要一个生物学上正常（集约）的喂奶计划。在出生后的前三到四周自由采食或接近自由采食也能减少犊牛的饥饿感，从而提高犊牛福利。只有用初乳和牛奶进行集约喂养的犊牛才能在其一生中充分发挥其生产性能潜力。在过去几十年里，公众对农场动物福利的关注度不断提高，这使得有必要更仔细地审视乳业中存在争议的管理做法，如将犊牛与母牛早期分离并随后单独饲养。通过教育努力无法减轻公众对这些做法的反对。与普遍看法相反，没有证据表明早期母牛与犊牛分离对犊牛或母牛的健康有益。有证据表明，单独饲养对犊牛的行为和发育有害，群体饲养可提高采食量和体重增加，并且通过适当管理可以减轻与群体饲养相关的健康风险。总之，仍然有许多普遍应用的管理做法，特别是在乳业中，这些做法对犊牛的健康和福利有害。
