The physiological forms of calves behaviour in the assessment of welfare

The behaviour of calves is a response to stimuli from the environment causing movement, actions and changes in body position, affecting the health and welfare of the animals. We distinguish four categories of physiological behaviour: – Behaviour related to basic needs such as movement, nutrition, rest and sleep. – Exploratory behaviour that enables getting to know the living environment. – Territorial behaviour and protection of safety and social order. – Sexual and parental behaviour for the protection of the genome and the extension of the species. The positive emotional state of animals is manifested through the freedom to express these forms of behaviour and social contact with other individuals, which reduces stress and fear. The goal of the care for animal welfare is to minimize exposure to negative emotions by optimizing these factors. The present study, carried out on two farms with an intensive system of housing and rearing calves up to 30 days of age, showed significant weaknesses and deficiencies in the way calves are kept immediately after birth, up to 7 days of age. Namely, of 9 forms of physiological behaviour, 5 rated 1 or 2. The situation was somewhat better in the age category of calves between 8 and 30 days, where only one form, reproductive behaviour, was absolutely impossible. In order to improve the quality of calf welfare, it is necessary to provide better rearing conditions that would enable the manifestation of basic physiological forms of behaviour.