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Providing dairy calves with plastic “toys” for playtime helps them express their natural behavior, leading to improved mental wellbeing. This also reduces the likelihood of unwanted behaviors like cross-sucking and helps them cope better with stressful events such as disbudding. Researchers at the University of Reading believe that creating a more enriching environment for calves through group rearing, ad-lib milk feeding, and enriched surroundings can result in the long-term benefits of raising more resilient and adaptable cows.

Calves require a balance of activities like eating, drinking, sleeping, and playing to thrive. Understanding their daily routines is crucial for determining the most effective management and housing systems. By allowing calves to engage in activities like eating feed, playing, grooming, socializing, and resting, they can develop important skills and behaviors for adulthood.

In many farming operations, calf rearing is often a secondary concern, leading to calves being raised in dull and barren environments with limited milk feeding. This lack of stimulation can result in boredom and the development of negative behaviors like cross-sucking and increased restlessness. Providing calves with cleanable plastic toys can encourage playful behavior and mental stimulation, ultimately contributing to their overall wellbeing.

Further studies have shown that calves reared in groups learn from each other socially and are more equipped to handle challenges like learning to eat hard food. Enriching their environment with various toys, such as hanging plastic balls filled with hay or ropes, can stimulate their minds and keep them engaged. This not only improves their mental state but also helps them adapt to new experiences and changes as they grow into adult cows.

Research has also demonstrated that environment enrichment can have a positive impact on calves’ ability to cope with stressful events like disbudding. Calves raised in enriched environments with access to toys showed quicker recovery times and displayed fewer signs of discomfort compared to those in non-enriched environments. This highlights the importance of providing calves with a stimulating and engaging environment for their overall welfare.

In conclusion, investing in calf welfare through environment enrichment and providing access to toys can have long-term benefits for dairy herds. By ensuring that calves have a clean, warm, and stimulating environment with proper nutrition and group rearing, farmers can raise healthier and happier animals. Ongoing research will continue to explore the effects of enrichment on calf development and wellbeing, with a focus on monitoring hygiene levels and the impact of rotating toys for continued engagement.

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