Role of Neonatal Behavior for Survival of Calf
The birth of a calf marks the beginning of a new life on the farm, and the neonatal period is a critical phase that significantly influences the calf’s overall health and survival. Neonatal behavior plays a pivotal role in the calf’s ability to adapt to its environment, interact with its mother, and navigate the challenges of early life. In this essay, we will explore the importance of neonatal behavior for the survival of calves, examining key behaviors, their adaptive significance, and the implications for effective calf management on the farm.
Neonatal period is the most critical step in the lifetime of a mammal. After parturition, expulsion of calf occurs to the entirely new environment where everything is new except some maternal feature such as voice and smell of amniotic fluid (Fraser and Broom, 1997). Neonatal survival relies to a great extent on an environment that is ecologically appropriate for the developmental stage of the neonate, and on optimum interactions with the mother.In the neonatal behavior there are five stages i.e. coordinating recumbency, elevation, ampulation, orientation and trophic initiation have been recognized during the formation of neonatal-maternal bond
a) Coordinating recumbence – After expulsion the newborn lies in extension and soon raises its head and neck, flexes the forelegs, completes rotation of its sternum and flexes its hind limbs to rest on its sternum.
b) Elevation– The calf attempt to rise in a typical way. Many attempts are taking to stand upright equilibrium by the four feets. Calf and lamb raise their hindquarter before their forequarter but foals do apposite to it (Fraser and Broom, 1997).
c) Ampulation – After standing, the calf attempt to walk, this was followed as a typical four-step form of slow ampulation which was unsteadiness. This unsteady locomotion may stimulate maternal concern and promote maternal bonding (Fraser and broom, 1997).
d) Orientation – Activities which are exploratory by the calf is done by nosing with the head and neck, there action promote the learning of maternal and species characteristics. During searching when teat like protrusion is grasped than suckling occur.
e) Trophic initiation –The orientation of the calf towards the dam is directed towards the mammary region and by trial-anderror they are able to locate the teat by their mouth. This stimulation by the suckling of the calf makes the let down milk and satisfies the ingestive behavior of the calf. In short, after calving the dam licks vigorously to its newborn calf and also lifted partially from the ground by the tongue (Edwards and Broom, 1982). After about 30-60 min, newborn calf usually stands (Edwards, 1983; Jensen et al., 2011). Soon after that, teat sucking by the calf is most intense, for that the calf makes many attempt to locate the teats, the cow help the newborn by making appropriate position and also licks, nuzzle and nude the calf. And the dam nurses the calf. The calf mostly suckles from right or left sides and occasionally from rare side (Hafez, 1969) and it is common to occur first from a front teat (Edwards and Broom, 1997). Calves spent most time sniffing and tend to suckle the cow during the second hour (Jensen et al., 2011). But about one-fifth of apparent suckling episodes may involve no milk letdown (Fraser and Broom, 1997).
Imprinting
It was first described by Konrad Lorenz as “Imprinting is said to occur when innate behaviours are released in response to a learnt stimulus”. Most imprinting promotes survival of newborn animals and shapes their future breeding activities. During imprinting, a young animal develops an attachment toward another animal or object. It occurs at a particular time (i.e. sensitive period) during early postnatal life and is not reversible. Imprinting is a rapid learning process that apparently occurs without reinforcement. Dominant sense involved in imprinting is sight, sound and olfaction. Imprinting is more important in precocial species, in which the offspring are less dependent on their mothers for food and warmth, than in altricial species which often confine their more vulnerable, and often hairless, young to nests. After imprinting there are two major categories of learning, associative and non-associative. In non-associative learning the animal is exposed to a single stimulus to which it can become habituated or sensitised, while in associative learning a relationship between at least two stimuli becomes established. There are two sub-divisions under the umbrella of associative learning. These are called classical conditioning and operant conditioning. The latter, as we will see, is important for animals to be able to solve novel problems in their environment.
Etepimeletic (care soliciting) behavior Calves do solicit maternal contact by vocalizing, and by nuzzling and butting the cow’s udder. These signals are thought to provide some reliable or ‘honest’ information about the calf’s need for maternal care, and empirical work has shown that hungrier calves call more (Thomas et al., 2001) and show increased contact with the cow’s udder (de Passillé and Rushen, 2006) compared to calves that are better fed.
Pattern of suckling
The calf grasps the teat with its mouth and sucks vigorously without biting. It develops a negative pressure, by forming an air-tight compartment in the oral cavity by the tongue around the teat. The maximum negative pressure varies from 250-400 mmHg. While suckling, the calf vigorously butts the mother udder with its head, this may be due to reduced milk flow and it may help to increase flow rate (Hafez, 1969). Wagging of the tail also done in peaceful suckling. Vigorous tail-wagging together with butting may be the indication of frustration due to no or very less milk available in the udder (Selman et al., 1970). It appears that a calf stays on each teat until it dry, and then moves to another. Nonnutritional suckling also occurs when a calf licks himself, another calf, or a nearby objective may be penis, sheath, scrotum, udder and ear. It mostly seen in calves which are bucket-fed and are grouped together shortly after birth.
Rate and Frequency of suckling
After locating the teat the calf satisfy its appetite in 10-15 min (Hafez, 1969). The number of pulsation by suckling ranges from 57-102 (av.74) per min (Hafez, 1969). Calves on their dam suckled an average of 37-57 min per 24 hrs. whereas calves on Nursing rates average 16-42 min per 24 hrs. Newborn calves suckle their dams 5-8 times in each 24 hrs. And the average total time spend in suckling in the first 8 h after calving as 17 min (Selman et al., 1970). In the natural situation, a cow nurses her calf 5 to 11 times daily during the first few weeks, but the nursing frequency declines to 3 to 5 times per day during the following months. Calves born to heifers and female calves were generally more intelligent than calves born to cows and male calves, respectively. Female calves suckled an average of 1.5 h earlier than male calves and heifers’ calves were suckling 2 h before cows’ calves even though the heifers required more assistance and took longer to stand after birth (Houwing et al., 1990).
Neonatal Behaviors
- Standing and Sucking Reflex
Immediately after birth, calves exhibit a strong standing and sucking reflex. This instinctive behavior is crucial for the calf to access colostrum, the first milk rich in antibodies and essential nutrients, which provides immunity and energy for the calf’s initial survival.
- Bonding with the Mother
Neonatal calves instinctively seek proximity to their mothers, fostering the establishment of the mother-calf bond. This bond is vital for the calf’s protection, as the mother provides care, warmth, and guidance, enhancing the calf’s chances of survival in the early days.
- Exploratory Behavior
Curiosity and exploratory behavior are innate in neonatal calves. This behavior aids in the calf’s adaptation to its surroundings, helping it learn about the environment, identify potential food sources, and establish a sense of security.
- Resting Behavior
Calves spend a significant portion of their early days resting. This behavior is essential for energy conservation, growth, and overall well-being. Adequate rest allows the calf to recover from the birthing process and build strength for future activities.
Adaptive Significance of Neonatal Behaviors
- Colostrum Intake
The ability to stand and suckle shortly after birth is crucial for colostrum intake. Colostrum provides antibodies that confer passive immunity to the calf, protecting it against infections and diseases during the vulnerable neonatal period.
- Thermoregulation
Neonatal calves lack the ability to regulate their body temperature effectively. Seeking close proximity to the mother and engaging in resting behavior helps the calf conserve energy and maintain an optimal body temperature, especially in cold environments.
- Predator Avoidance
Exploratory behavior contributes to the calf’s ability to identify potential threats and avoid predators. This behavior is particularly important for free-range and pasture-based systems, where calves need to navigate a more open and potentially challenging environment.
- Social Learning
The bonding between the calf and its mother facilitates social learning. The mother imparts essential survival skills to the calf, including foraging, social interactions within the herd, and responses to environmental stimuli.
Implications for Calf Management
- Colostrum Management
Ensuring that calves receive adequate colostrum within the first few hours of life is critical for their survival. Proper colostrum management programs, including monitoring intake and quality, are essential for supporting neonatal health.
- Proper Nutrition
Providing a balanced and nutritionally adequate diet is crucial for the development and growth of neonatal calves. This includes high-quality milk replacers or maternal milk, supplemented with appropriate solid feeds as the calf grows.
- Comfortable Housing
Creating a comfortable and secure environment for neonatal calves is essential. Adequate bedding, proper ventilation, and protection from extreme weather conditions contribute to the calf’s well-being and reduce stress.
- Monitoring and Health Care
Regular monitoring of neonatal behavior allows farmers to identify signs of distress, illness, or nutritional deficiencies. Prompt veterinary care and interventions are essential to address health issues and ensure the calf’s survival.
Conclusion
The role of neonatal behavior in the survival of calves cannot be overstated. From the instinctive behaviors exhibited immediately after birth to the development of crucial survival skills through social learning, neonatal behaviors are key indicators of the calf’s well-being and adaptation to its environment. Effective calf management practices, including colostrum management, proper nutrition, comfortable housing, and vigilant health care, are essential components of ensuring the survival and long-term health of neonatal calves. As stewards of animal welfare, farmers play a central role in supporting these neonatal behaviors, fostering a positive start to the lives of the calves under their care. The time period just after birth is very crucial for the animals. Proper adaptation during this period by the animal is important for their survival and future life. Association with its mother and care from her in terms of colostrums by suckling is the foundation to immunity and survival.
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the
Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
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