Heifer rearing from birth through first calving shapes lifelong health and welfare in dairy cattle, with early life experiences, social housing, and nutritional management having lasting consequences.
Heifer rearing welfare has received increasing research attention because the welfare experiences of replacement cattle directly affect the welfare of the adult dairy herd. Calves in individual hutches are deprived of social play and learning that affects behavior and stress responses throughout adult life. Weaning at 6 weeks without gradual transition causes significant acute stress that could be reduced with better management. Passive immunity failure - which affects up to 40% of calves in poorly managed herds - creates chronic disease burden in the rearing period. Welfare-positive heifer rearing is not only ethically preferable but produces healthier, longer-lived adult cows with better welfare outcomes across their productive lives.