The first hours and days of a dairy calf's life are critical for welfare, immunity, and long-term health outcomes, yet management practices vary widely in quality.
Neonatal calves are vulnerable to cold stress, disease, and starvation in their first days of life. The standard practice of separating calves from cows within hours of birth denies both animals natural bonding and disrupts the normal nursing relationship. Calves deprived of adequate colostrum develop poorly, with weaker immune systems and higher disease susceptibility. Providing appropriate warmth, adequate colostrum, social housing with other calves, and suitable nutrition supports welfare from the earliest stage of life.