13. Feeding of colostrum – animal welfare and ethical aspect of different feeding regimes

At birth, calves do not have sufficient immunity to fight disease. They rely on the transfer of passive immunity via ingestion of maternal immunoglobulins (Ig) present in colostrum and a sufficient intake shortly after birth is important. Traditionally calves are left to suckle the dam, but dairy farmers frequently bottle or bucket feed, and more recently some have started using oesophageal tube (OT) feeding to improve transfer of immunity. To date, most studies have focused on the effects of OT feeding on transfer of passive immunity, i.e. health outcomes and mortality rates. However, there are no studies evaluating how the calves react to the intubation procedure (behaviourally and physiologically) and whether or not this invasive procedure may compromise the welfare of the calves. This project aims to address routine use of OT feeding with regards to health and welfare using a multidisciplinary approach, and to investigate the public’s perception of OT feeding of colostrum of dairy calves as a management routine. Practices in dairy farming raise a number of welfare and ethical issues. A pilot interview study with farmers, veterinarians and advisors (10 persons in total) indicate different perceptions of separation and of OT feeding. For some OT feeding of healthy calves is beyond imagination, referring to it as unnatural, whereas others advocate it, referring to perceived improved calf health. However, all informants rank OT feeding lower than suckling and bottle feeding both from a calf welfare point of view and from ‘a consumer perspective’. Independently of farmers’ own view, results show that they are worried about how the public may perceive routine OT feeding. Based on this revealed awareness of value differences we reflect on different perspectives on animal welfare concluding that transparency and trust are crucial aspects in any ethical elaboration on calf feeding routines.