A survey on management of milk feeding, weaning and housing of conventional and organic dairy calves in Europe.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To safeguard dairy calf welfare, European legislative recommendations on milk feeding practices and minimum standards on housing of calves exist. However, studies providing a general overview of common practices on milk-fed calf rearing across European countries are sparse. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of current milk feeding and housing practices for dairy calves in conventional and organic herds across European countries. Forty-five respondents with extensive knowledge about dairy production and calf rearing from 25 countries and regions were invited to an online questionnaire regarding farm demographics, management of the newborn calves, milk feeding and housing practices of calves 1-4 weeks of age and 5-8 weeks of age, and weaning practices.

Re

SUBMITTER: Otten ND 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12482143 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature