The welfare of dairy replacement heifers during the calf rearing period shapes their lifetime health, behaviour and welfare. Evidence-based rearing practices are increasingly understood as a long-term welfare investment.
Dairy replacement heifer welfare during the calf rearing period has significant welfare impacts at the time and long-term effects on the adult cow's health and behaviour. Social deprivation in individual hutches during sensitive developmental periods affects cognitive flexibility, social competence and stress resilience throughout life. Calves raised in well-managed social groups show better behavioural welfare during rearing and adapt more successfully to herd social environments after weaning. Ad libitum milk feeding from automated feeders better meets nutritional needs than restricted twice-daily bucket feeding, and produces calves that grow faster and transition more smoothly to weaning.