Attitude Characterization of Dairy Calves Handler’s in Commercial Dairy Farms

M E Reis,Carla Maris Machado Bittar,G Santos,G S Slanzon,S M S Piedade

doi:10.31487/j.dahvs.2020.01.01

Abstract

In dairy farms, the human-animal interaction is intense, especially with baby calves and the animal's response is linked to the handler's behaviour. Considering that attitude of calves’ handlers can improve animal performance, this study aimed to characterize it in order to understand important gaps. One hundred handlers of commercial dairy farms located in Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Parana were interviewed. The interview was conducted based on a semi-structured questionnaire applied by only one interviewer and directed to calves’ handlers. The questionnaire was developed to collect data attitude of self-reports from people responsible for handling calves. Pearson's correlation between the cognitive, affective and behavioural components of the attitude of calves’ handlers and the performance of calves during the milkpreweaning were very low. Nearly seven of ten respondents had a positive attitude about the statement "care with the prepartum cow may impact calf’s performance preweaning". For 55% of the handlers, calves should receive more than two liters of colostrum in the first meal; however, for 39% of them, the volume should be higher. Only 28% of handlers disagree that a newborn calf should ingest colostrum directly from the dam. Almost six in ten handlers agree that a calf should be fed with dam’s colostrum. Three in ten respondents do not agree with the statement "In the future, I would like to work in another sector". More than half (52%) agree that they know how to raise calves, with higher percentage observed for the largest farm’s handlers. For some variables, the handler has a positive attitude, but in practice, the behaviour performed is not always the same. The behaviour of the calf’s handler may have positive affective and cognitive components. All the handlers knew how to handle the animals or at least knew the importance of the main actions in dairy calves handling. However, the behavioural component is based on actions, differing attitude from behaviour. There is a strong need of training calves’ handlers so their attitude and behaviour may be modulated to improve the efficiency of raising dairy calves.

Highlights

Dairy farming usually implies frequent and close contact between the handler and calves during procedures such as feeding, cleaning, and inspection
We found that the behavioural component stands out over some actions
Regarding the volume of milk produced, the highest production class (> 700 L) accounted for 88% of all production related to the properties visited

Summary

Introduction

Dairy farming usually implies frequent and close contact between the handler and calves during procedures such as feeding, cleaning, and inspection. Differences on the individual management strategy, frequency of routines, such as animal health assessment or hygiene, as well as the personality of the farmers are directly related to the handler's behaviour [1]. These differences in interactions between handlers and animals might contribute for the variation in production, health, and reproduction [2]. According to De Passillé et al (1996), calves may develop fear of their handlers due to aversive treatments, an attitude that can lead animals to reduce their feed intake, manifest diarrhea and present low performance [6]. The positive interactions, such as talking and gentle touching, were associated with reducing levels of fear from handlers [8]

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