400 (RN)
The Effects of Fenceline Weaning With or Without the Presence of Companion Goats on Performance and Behavior Measurements of Fall-Born Calves
Traditionally, weaning beef calves is initiated by abrupt separation of a calf from its dam and is associated with behavioral distress and reductions in weight gain. Recently, several alternative weaning methods have been proposed and advocated including anecdotal reports that placing a companion animal with calves at weaning may improve the weaning process. Therefore, the objective of our study was to examine if the presence of companion goats affects performance and behavior of fenceline weaned fall-born calves. Over 2 consecutive years, commercial fall-born Angus calves (n = 40; 220 ± 4.4 kg) were stratified by body weight, sex, and age and allocated randomly to 1 of 8 groups. Groups were then assigned randomly to treatments consisting of 1) fenceline weaning without goats (WOG; 4 replications) or 2) fenceline weaning with goats (WG; 4 replications). Each year 4 mature Boer does were placed into each WG replication at time of weaning. Calves from both treatment groups had constant fenceline contact with their respective dams for the entirety of the study. Calf 14-d post-weaning weight, ADG, and calf gain (14 d) did not differ (P ≥ 0.92) across treatments. Percentage of calves vocalizing, walking rapidly, running, standing, and lying down did not differ (P ≥ 0.63) across treatments. However, a time effect (P < 0.01) was observed for vocalizing, with calves vocalizing more at 12 and 24 hours compared with 48 and 72 hours post-weaning. Therefore, based on these data, the presence of companion goats did not improve performance or behavior of fall-born fenceline weaned calves. Nevertheless, the possible benefits associated with alternative weaning methods warrants further research.
Keywords: Calves, Goats, Weaning