Do calves hide after birth? Postpartum behavior of dairy calves and their dams housed in individual calving pens

Summary: This study investigated the effect of providing a secluded area in an individual calving pen on maternal and neonatal calf behavior during the first 3 days after birth. Although calves did not spend most of their time in the secluded area of the pen, calves in covered pens received more maternal sniffing and licking compared with those that did not have a secluded area. This finding indicates that providing cover after birth facilitates maternal behavior and the formation of the cow-calf bond. Maternal behavior and protective behavior were more intense during the first 24 hours after birth than later days. These results provide evidence that dairy cow-calf pairs may benefit from the provision of a secluded area where they can bond during the first days after the birth.