311 Evaluation of different types of journeys on welfare indicators of un-weaned calves transported by road in Europe

Abstract

Abstract Transportation of un-weaned calves in Europe is a common practice to transfer calves from origins to rearing facilities that often are in different countries and now is in the spotlight from the welfare point of view. The aim of this study was to assess physiological and behavioral indicators of welfare in calves transported in 3 different journey types. A total of 6,727 calves (3–4 wk of age and 65 ± 9.0 kg of BW) were transported with 30 trucks (n = 10 each journey type): from a unique origin to a unique rearing facility (DIR); from different origins to different rearing facilities (BUS); from a unique origin to a unique rearing facility after stopping in a resting facility (RES). Journey information and behavior at arrival was recorded. A subset of 20 calves for each transportation were sampled for NEFA, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and rectal temperature (RT) on arrival at the rearing and resting facility, and 14 d after arrival. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with type of journey and day as main effects. Transportation time was 8.2 ± 0.66 h, 9.4 ± 0.66, and 21.7 ± 0.66 h for DIR, BUS and RES. RT was greater (P < 0.01) for RES than DIR and BUS at resting and arrival. NEFA and BHBA were greater (P < 0.01) for DIR and BUS than RES after arrival, however, when RES was evaluated at resting no differences were observed. At d 14 NEFA and BHBA were low (P < 0.01). Number of calves that turned back was greater (P = 0.04) in BUS, intermediate for DIR and lower for RES. In RES even the journey is longer the negative effects of transport at arrival are negligible due to the provision of feed and rest during the resting period before arrival at the rearing facility.