Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare Social Behaviour Enrichment

Social behaviour enrichment in housed cattle includes provision of brushes, novel objects and opportunities for affiliative behaviour.

Key Facts

Rotating brushes satisfy grooming behaviour needs in housed cattle and are well-used
Novel objects including balls and suspended objects promote exploratory behaviour
Social allogrooming between cows satisfies affiliative needs and is associated with positive welfare
Appropriate group composition enables positive social relationships to develop
Environmental complexity in cattle housing including varied substrate reduces abnormal behaviour

Welfare Considerations

Social behaviour enrichment for housed cattle addresses behavioural welfare needs beyond physical health. Provision of rotating brushes and opportunities for affiliative behaviour is low-cost and demonstrates genuine welfare benefit across multiple studies.

What You Can Do

Advocate for rotating brush provision as a standard welfare requirement in cattle housing certification
Support novel object and environmental complexity provision in housed cattle systems
Choose dairy and beef products from farms demonstrating welfare investment including enrichment provision