Stanton PhD Thesis final_docx - Atrium - University of Guelph

Without human intervention, calves first bond with their dam. Le Neindre (1989) found
that beef calves that are left with their dams until they are weaned had preferential attachment to
their dams. If calves are allowed to remain with dams through the next calving, the bond between
mother-dam is not altered (Veissier et al., 1990). However, due to the nature of the dairy
industry, dairy calves do not have this initial bond formation with their dam and must form
bonds with their conspecifics without this initial socialization.
Positive Social Interactions
Grooming, pair formation and play behaviour are three examples of positive social
interactions that strengthen the bonds between animals within a group. Studies on herds of cattle
indicate that grooming behavior is most likely to be directed at animals that are of similar social
dominance rank. Frequency of grooming was positively associated with time spent in
cohabitation (Sato, 1984; Sato et al., 1991). Environmental factors, such as delayed feeding time
and dirty environments, also influence the time spent social licking. However, the preferential
partnering and increased growth rates associated with animals that receive social grooming
indicates that this likely functions as a bonding and relaxing activity for cattle, as well as for
cleaning. The decreased heart rate of cattle that receive allogrooming supports the hypothesis
that this is a rewarding behavior, which can improve cattle welfare (Laister et al., 2011). Since
individually housed neonates are prevented from contacting conspecifics they are also prevented
from performing and receiving this soothing activity, likely affecting their response to stress.
Within groups of cattle preferential partnerships develop. In extensive and feral herds of
cattle it is initially the dam-young relationship that is given priority (Lazo, 1994). However, by
two weeks of age calves spend the majority of their time with other calves, when nursing time is
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