Housing dairy calves in groups from an early age supports social development, cognitive enrichment, and welfare outcomes superior to individual hutch management.
Social isolation in individual hutches prevents calves from expressing natural social behaviours during a critical developmental period. Research consistently shows that pair and group housing produces calves that are better adapted, less fearful, and better at coping with novelty. The welfare benefits of social housing, combined with good disease management, make group housing the preferred system.