The welfare of dairy heifer calves during rearing is foundational to their adult health and productivity, yet heifer welfare often receives less attention than that of productive cows.
Dairy heifer welfare during the rearing period is both intrinsically important and instrumentally significant for adult cow welfare and farm economics. Calves experiencing good welfare during rearing develop stronger immune systems, better social skills, and greater cognitive flexibility that supports adaptation to adult herd environments. Individual calf hutches, while reducing disease transmission, deprive calves of social development opportunities. Pair or group housing from an early age, combined with graduated weaning, produces calves better prepared for the social challenges of adult dairy herd life. Systematic welfare monitoring during rearing, not just when problems become visible, is the welfare management standard to aim for.