The transition period from three weeks before to three weeks after calving is the highest-risk welfare period for dairy cows, with metabolic diseases peaking during this time and management quality determining welfare outcomes for millions of cows.
The transition period represents the most welfare-vulnerable stage of a dairy cow's productive life. The physiological demands of mobilizing calcium for milk production and energy for early lactation while recovering from calving create conditions where metabolic disease is common and causes significant welfare suffering. Hypocalcemia causes muscle weakness and down cows; ketosis causes loss of appetite, weight loss, and neurological signs; displaced abomasum causes chronic pain and production loss. Management approaches that provide adequate nutrition, space, and social stability during this critical period dramatically reduce welfare problems.