Calf housing in the first weeks of life profoundly affects health, welfare, and long-term productivity, with recent evidence driving updates to best practice guidelines.
Calf welfare in the first weeks of life is determined by housing system, social contact, nutrition provision, and disease management. Individual hutches prevent disease transmission between calves but prevent normal social behavior, play, and thermoregulatory benefits of group huddling. Evidence that early social housing improves long-term social competence and reduces stress responses has driven a shift toward pair or small group housing from birth. Ad-libitum milk provision through automated feeders reduces hunger-associated stress and stereotypic behavior. Bedding quality and depth affects calf warmth and lying comfort, particularly in cold conditions.