Abstract
The most significant welfare problems in dairy calves in intensive rearing conditions have been investigated in this paper. These problems mainly result from inadequate intake of colostrum (separation from the dam), inadequate ventilation (resulting in inappropriate airflow, low or high temperatures, high humidity and poor air quality), poor floor conditions (wet floor, without bedding), inadequate monitoring of health, exposure to pathogens causing respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders and occurrence of iron deficiency. In addition, on cattle farms in our country welfare problems in calves originate from continuous restocking (no "all in - all out") and mixing calves from different sources, as well as insufficiently balanced solid food, insufficient access to water and generally poor response of farmer to health problems, especially necessary dietary changes. A special welfare problem is insufficient floor space allowance which results in calf?s discomfort.
Highlights
The organism of calves in the intensive rearing conditions is influenced by numerous unfavourable factors that may interfere fulfilling their basic needs
Many complex factors contribute to the welfare of calves in commercial dairy farms, including housing and environment, nutrition programs, health, breeders, calves and procedures with dynamic changes in the size of the herd
Provision and assessment of the welfare of calves in commercial dairy farms is a complex scientific challenge, especially because the terminology and assess factors that contribute to the welfare of calves are not clearly defined (Veissier, 1996; Vasseur et al, 2009; Vasseur et al, 2009a)
Summary
The organism of calves in the intensive rearing conditions is influenced by numerous unfavourable factors that may interfere fulfilling their basic needs. These factors may disturb normal breathing, feeding and watering, the development of the digestive tract, rest and sleep, behaviour, social contacts, thermoregulation and self-grooming of the calves. Many complex factors contribute to the welfare of calves in commercial dairy farms, including housing and environment, nutrition programs, health, breeders, calves and procedures with dynamic changes in the size of the herd. Provision and assessment of the welfare of calves in commercial dairy farms is a complex scientific challenge, especially because the terminology and assess factors that contribute to the welfare of calves are not clearly defined (Veissier, 1996; Vasseur et al, 2009; Vasseur et al, 2009a)
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