Skip to main content
Have a personal or library account? Click to login
How effective is physical enrichment for dairy calves? A systematic review Cover

How effective is physical enrichment for dairy calves? A systematic review

Open Access
|Oct 2026

References

  1. Abou-Ismail, U. A., & Mendl, M. T. (2016). The effects of enrichment novelty versus complexity in cages of group-housed rats (Rattus norvegicus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 180, 130–139. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.04.014
  2. Adcock, S. J. J. (2021). Early Life Painful Procedures: Long-Term Consequences and Implications for Farm Animal Welfare. Frontiers in Animal Science, 2, 759522. doi: 10.3389/fanim.2021.759522
  3. Arechavala‐Lopez, P., Cabrera‐Álvarez, M. J., Maia, C. M., & Saraiva, J. L. (2022). Environmental enrichment in fish aquaculture: A review of fundamental and practical aspects. Reviews in Aquaculture, 14(2), 704–728. doi: 10.1111/raq.12620
  4. Averós, X., Brossard, L., Dourmad, J. Y., De Greef, K. H., Edwards, S. A., & Meunier-Salaün, M. C. (2012). Meta-analysis on the effects of the physical environment, animal traits, feeder and feed characteristics on the feeding behaviour and performance of growing-finishing pigs. Animal, 6(8), 1275–1289. doi: 10.1017/S1751731112000328
  5. Bachetti, É. D. S., Viol, L. Y., Viana-Junior, A. B., Young, R. J., & De Azevedo, C. S. (2024). Global Overview of Environmental Enrichment Studies: What Has Been Done and Future Directions. Animals, 14(11), 1613. doi: 10.3390/ani14111613
  6. Bailoo, J. D., Murphy, E., Boada-Saña, M., Varholick, J. A., Hintze, S., Baussière, C., Hahn, K. C., Göpfert, C., Palme, R., Voelkl, B., & Würbel, H. (2018). Effects of cage enrichment on behavior, welfare and outcome variability in female mice. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 12, 232. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00232
  7. Bloomsmith, M. A., Brent, L. Y., & Schapiro, S. J. (1991). Guidelines for developing and managing an environmental enrichment program for nonhuman primates. Laboratory Animal Science, 41(4). 372–377. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1658487
  8. Boyle, L. A., Boyle, R. M., & French, P. (2008). Welfare and performance of yearling dairy heifers out-wintered on a wood-chip pad or housed indoors on two levels of nutrition. Animal, 2(5), 769–778. doi: 10.1017/S1751731108001870
  9. Calvo-Lorenzo, M. S., Hulbert, L. E., Fowler, A. L., Louie, A., Gershwin, L. J., Pinkerton, K. E., Ballou, M. A., Klasing, K. C., & Mitloehner, F. M. (2016). Wooden hutch space allowance influences male Holstein calf health, performance, daily lying time, and respiratory immunity. Journal of Dairy Science, 99(6), 4678–4692. doi: 10.3168/jds.2016-10888
  10. Calvo-Lorenzo, M. S., Hulbert, L. E., Ballou, M. A., Fowler, A. L., Luo, Y., Klasing, K. C., & Mitloehner, F. M. (2017). Space allowance influences individually housed Holstein bull calf innate immune measures and standing behaviors after castration at 3 weeks of age. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(3), 2157–2169. doi: 10.3168/jds.2016-11833
  11. Camiloti, T. V., Fregonesi, J. A., Von Keyserlingk, M. A. G., & Weary, D. M. (2012). Short communication: Effects of bedding quality on the lying behavior of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(6), 3380–3383. doi: 10.3168/jds.2011-5187
  12. Chidgey, K. L. (2024). Review: Space allowance for growing pigs: animal welfare, performance and on-farm practicality. Animal, 18, 100890. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100890
  13. Costa, J. H. C., Von Keyserlingk, M. A. G., & Weary, D. M. (2016). Invited review: Effects of group housing of dairy calves on behavior, cognition, performance, and health. Journal of Dairy Science, 99(4), 2453–2467. doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-10144
  14. Davis, L. R., Autrey, K. M., Herlich, H., & Hawkins, G. E. (1954). Outdoor individual portable pens compared with conventional housing for raising dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 37(5), 562–570. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(54)91299-0
  15. De Passillé, A. M. (2001). Sucking motivation and related problems in calves. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 72(3), 175–187. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(01)00108-3
  16. Deikun, L. L., Habing, G. G., Quigley, J. D., & Proudfoot, K. L. (2020). Health and growth of veal calves provided a fatty acid supplement and a dry teat. Journal of Dairy Science, 103(5), 4633–4642. doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-17240
  17. Dellmeier, G. R., Friend, T. H., & Gbur, E. E. (1985). Comparison of four methods of calf confinement. II. Behavior. Journal of Animal Science, 60(5), 1102–1109. doi: 10.2527/jas1985.6051102x
  18. Donadio, J. P., De-Sousa, K. T., Torres, R. D. N. S., Alves, T. C., Hötzel, M. J., & Deniz, M. (2024). A meta-analysis approach to evaluate the effects of early group housing on calf performance, health and behavior during the preweaning period. Journal of Dairy Science, 108(1), 954–967. doi: 10.3168/jds.2024-25159
  19. Donadio, J. P., De-Sousa, K. T., Alves, T. C., Hötzel, M. J., & Deniz, M. (2025). The use of nipple water trough for group-housed dairy calves reduces cross-sucking. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 289, 106684. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106684
  20. Doyle, S. B., & Miller-Cushon, E. K. (2023). Influences of human contact following milk-feeding on nonnutritive oral behavior and rest of individual and pair-housed dairy calves during weaning. JDS Communications, 4(1), 46–50. doi: 10.3168/jdsc.2022-0264
  21. Earley, B., Murray, M., Farrel, J. A., & Nolan, M. (2004). Rearing calves outdoors with and without calf jackets compared with indoor housing on calf health and live-weight performance. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Ressearch, 43(1), 59–67. https://www.jstor.org/stable/25562505
  22. Ede, T., Weary, D. M., & G von Keyserlingk, M. A. (2022). Calves are socially motivated. JDS Communications, 3, 44–48. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2021-0132
  23. Færevik, G., Tjentland, K., Løvik, S., Andersen, I. L., & Bøe, K. E. (2008). Resting pattern and social behaviour of dairy calves housed in pens with different sized lying areas. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 114(1–2), 54–64. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.01.002
  24. Fantuz, F., Fatica, A., Salimei, E., Marcantoni, F., & Todini, L. (2024). Nutrition, growth, and age at puberty in heifers. Animals, 14(19), 2801. doi: 10.3390/ani14192801
  25. Ferrante, V., Canali, E., Mattiello, S., Verga, M., Sacerdote, P., Manfredi, B., & Panerai, A. (1998). Preliminary study on the effect of size of individual stall on the behavioural and immune reactions of dairy calves. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 7(1), 29–36. doi: 10.22358/jafs/69192/1998
  26. Fisher, L. J., Peterson, G. B., Jones, S. E., & Shelford, J. A. (1985). Two housing systems for calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 68(2), 368–373. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(85)80833-X
  27. Fregonesi, J. A., Von Keyserlingk, M. A. G., & Weary, D. M. (2009). Cow preference and usage of free stalls compared with an open pack area. Journal of Dairy Science, 92(11), 5497–5502. doi: 10.3168/jds.2009-2331
  28. Friend, T. H., Dellmeier, G. R., & Gbur, E. E. (1985). Comparison of four methods of calf confinement. I. Physiology 2. Journal of Animal Science, 60(5), 1095–1101. doi: 10.2527/jas1985.6051095x
  29. Georg, H., Jahn-Falk, D., & Ude, G. (2007). Technology against boredom: Is an automatic grooming brush accepted by calves? Landtechnik (Agricultural Engineering), 62(3), 166–167. doi: 10.15150/lt.2007.971
  30. Haley, D. B., De Passillé, A. M., & Rushen, J. (2001). Assessing cow comfort: Effects of two floor types and two tie stall designs on the behaviour of lactating dairy cows. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 71(2), 105–117. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(00)00175-1
  31. Hänninen, L., De Passillé, A. M., & Rushen, J. (2005). The effect of flooring type and social grouping on the rest and growth of dairy calves. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 91(3–4), 193–204. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2004.10.003
  32. Hänninen, L., Løvendahl, P., De Passillé, A. M., & Rushen, J. (2006). The effect of floor type or relocation on calves’ pulsatile growth hormone and cortisol secretion. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science, 56(2), 99–108. doi: 10.1080/09064700601080863
  33. Held, S. D. E., & Špinka, M. (2011). Animal play and animal welfare. Animal Behaviour, 81(5), 891–899. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.01.007
  34. Hepola, H., Hänninen, L., Pursiainen, P., Tuure, V.-M., Syrjälä-Qvist, L., Pyykkönen, M., & Saloniemi, H. (2006). Feed intake and oral behaviour of dairy calves housed individually or in groups in warm or cold buildings. Livestock Science, 105(1–3), 94–104. doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2006.04.033
  35. Hill, T. M., Bateman, H. G., Aldrich, J. M., & Schlotterbeck, R. L. (2007). Effects of feeding rate of milk replacers and bedding material for calves in a cold, naturally ventilated nursery. The Professional Animal Scientist, 23(6), 656–664. doi: 10.15232/S1080-7446(15)31037-8
  36. Hill, T. M., Bateman, H. G., Aldrich, J. M., & Schlotterbeck, R. L. (2011). Comparisons of housing, bedding, and cooling options for dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 94(4), 2138–2146. doi: 10.3168/jds.2010-3841
  37. Horvath, K. C., & Miller-Cushon, E. K. (2019). Characterizing grooming behavior patterns and the influence of brush access on the behavior of group-housed dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 102(4), 3421–3430. doi: 10.3168/jds.2018-15460
  38. Horvath, K. C., Allen, A. N., & Miller-Cushon, E. K. (2020). Effects of access to stationary brushes and chopped hay on behavior and performance of individually housed dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 103(9), 8421–8432. doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-18042
  39. Hosseini, S. M. J., Tanha, T., & Maghsoodi, H. (2021). The effects of different types of bedding on the performance, skeletal and behavioral characteristics, hygienic and immunity conditions of suckling Holstein calves. Journal of the Indonesian Tropical Animal Agriculture, 46(3), 236–247. doi: 10.14710/jitaa.46.3.236-247
  40. Hulbert, L. E., & Moisá, S. J. (2016). Stress, immunity, and the management of calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 99(4), 3199–3216. doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-10198
  41. Hulbert, L. E., Calvo-Lorenzo, M. S., Ballou, M. A., Klasing, K. C., & Mitloehner, F. M. (2019). Space allowance influences individually housed Holstein male calves’ age at feed consumption, standing behaviors, and measures of immune resilience before and after step-down weaning. Journal of Dairy Science, 102(5), 4506–4521. doi: 10.3168/jds.2018-15368
  42. Jensen, M. B. (1999). Effects of confinement on rebounds of locomotor behaviour of calves and heifers, and the spatial preferences of calves. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 62(1), 43–56. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(98)00208-1
  43. Jensen, M. B., & Kyhn, R. (2000). Play behaviour in group-housed dairy calves, the effect of space allowance. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 67(1–2), 35–46. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(99)00113-6
  44. Jensen, M. B., Vestergaard, K. S., Krohn, C. C., & Munksgaard, L. (1997). Effect of single versus group housing and space allowance on responses of calves during open-field tests. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 54(2–3), 109–121. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(96)01183-5
  45. Jensen, M. B., Vestergaard, K. S., & Krohn, C. C. (1998). Play behaviour in dairy calves kept in pens: The effect of social contact and space allowance. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 56(2–4), 97–108. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(97)00106-8
  46. Jorgenson, L. J., Jorgensen, N. A., Schingoethe, D. J., & Owens, M. J. (1970). Indoor versus outdoor calf rearing at three weaning ages. Journal of Dairy Science, 53(6), 813–816. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(70)86296-8
  47. Kartal, T. Z., & Yanar, M. (2011). Effect of floor types on the growth performance and some behavioural traits of brown swiss calves. Veterinarija ir Zootechnika, 55(77), 20–24. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279542270
  48. Magnuson, C. D., & Barnett, L. A. (2013). The Playful Advantage: How Playfulness Enhances Coping with Stress. Leisure Sciences, 35(2), 129–144. doi: 10.1080/01490400.2013.761905
  49. Mandel, R., Whay, H. R., Klement, E., & Nicol, C. J. (2016). Invited review: Environmental enrichment of dairy cows and calves in indoor housing. Journal of Dairy Science, 99(3), 1695–1715. doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-9875
  50. Mellor, D. (2012). Animal emotions, behaviour and the promotion of positive welfare states. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 60(1), 1–8. doi: 10.1080/00480169.2011.619047
  51. Mielke, J., De Geest, S., Zúñiga, F., Brunkert, T., Zullig, L. L., Pfadenhauer, L. M., & Staudacher, S. (2022). Understanding dynamic complexity in context – Enriching contextual analysis in implementation science from a constructivist perspective. Frontiers in Health Services, 2, 953731. doi: 10.3389/frhs.2022.953731
  52. Miller-Cushon, E. K., & Jensen, M. B. (2025). Invited review: Social housing of dairy calves: management factors affecting calf behavior, performance, and health – A systematic review. Journal of Dairy Science, 108(4), 3019–3044. doi: 10.3168/jds.2024-25468
  53. Miranda, C. O., Lima, M. L. P., Vercesi Filho, A. E., Salles, M. S. V., Simili, F. F., Negrão, J. A., Ribeiro, E. G., & Faro, L. E. (2023). Benefits of tactile stimulation and environmental enrichment for the welfare of crossbred dairy calves. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 51(1), 130–136. doi: 10.1080/09712119.2022.2162531
  54. Mota-Rojas, D., Whittaker, A. L., Domínguez-Oliva, A., Strappini, A. C., Álvarez-Macías, A., Mora-Medina, P., Ghezzi, M., Lendez, P., Lezama-García, K., & Grandin, T. (2024). Tactile, auditory, and visual stimulation as sensory enrichment for dairy cattle. Animals, 14(9), 1265. doi: 10.3390/ani14091265
  55. Murley, W. R., & Culvahouse, E. W. (1958). Open shed and portable pens versus conventional housing for young dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 41(7), 977–981. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(58)91031-2
  56. Neave, H. W., Webster, J. R., & Zobel, G. (2021). Anticipatory behaviour as an indicator of the welfare of dairy calves in different housing environments. PLoS One, 16(1 January). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245742
  57. Newberry, R. C. (1995). Environmental enrichment: Increasing the biological relevance of captive environments. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 44(2–4), 229–243. doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(95)00616-Z
  58. Norring, M., Manninen, E., De Passillé, A. M., Rushen, J., & Saloniemi, H. (2010). Preferences of dairy cows for three stall surface materials with small amounts of bedding. Journal of Dairy Science, 93(1), 70–74. doi: 10.3168/jds.2009-2164
  59. Orihuela, A., Mota-Rojas, D., Velarde, A., Strappini-Asteggiano, A., Vega, L. T. D. L., Borderas-Tordesillas, F., & Alonso-Spilsbury, M. (2019). Environmental enrichment to improve behaviour in farm animals. CABI Reviews, 1–25. doi: 10.1079/PAVSNNR201813059
  60. Ouzzani, M., Hammady, H., Fedorowicz, Z., & Elmagarmid, A. (2016). Rayyan – A web and mobile app for systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews, 5(1), 210. doi: 10.1186/s13643-016-0384-4
  61. Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., McGuinness, L. A., Stewart, L. A., Thomas, J., Tricco, A. C., Welch, V. A., Whiting, P., Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. International Journal of Surgery, 88, 105906. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2021.105906
  62. Panivivat, R., Kegley, E. B., Pennington, J. A., Kellogg, D. W., & Krumpelman, S. L. (2004). Growth performance and health of dairy calves bedded with different types of materials. Journal of Dairy Science, 87(11), 3736–3745. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)73512-2
  63. Pempek, J. A., Eastridge, M. L., & Proudfoot, K. L. (2017). The effect of a furnished individual hutch pre-weaning on calf behavior, response to novelty, and growth. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(6), 4807–4817. doi: 10.3168/jds.2016-12180
  64. Razzaque, M. A., Abbas, S., Al-Mutawa, T., & Bedair, M. (2009). Performance of pre-weaned female calves confined in housing and open environment hutches in Kuwait. Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 29(1), 1–4.
  65. Reyes, F. S., Gimenez, A. R., Anderson, K. M., Miller-Cushon, E. K., Dorea, J. R., & Van Os, J. M. C. (2022). Impact of stationary brush quantity on brush use in group-housed dairy heifers. Animals, 12(8). doi: 10.3390/ani12080972
  66. Richard, A. L., Muller, L. D., & Heinrichs, A. J. (1988). Ad libitum or twice daily feeding of acidified milk replacer to calves housed individually in warm and cold environments. Journal of Dairy Science, 71(8), 2193–2202. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(88)79793-3
  67. Richter, S. H., Kästner, N., Kriwet, M., Kaiser, S., & Sachser, N. (2016). Play matters: The surprising relationship between juvenile playfulness and anxiety in later life. Animal Behaviour, 114, 261–271. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.02.003
  68. Roland, L., Drillich, M., Klein-Jöbstl, D., & Iwersen, M. (2016). Invited review: Influence of climatic conditions on the development, performance, and health of calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 99(4), 2438–2452. doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-9901
  69. Rushen, J., & De Passillé, A. M. (2014). Locomotor play of veal calves in an arena: Are effects of feed level and spatial restriction mediated by responses to novelty? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 155, 34–41. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.03.009
  70. Sambrook, T. D., & Buchanan-Smith, H. M. (1997). Control and Complexity in Novel Object Enrichment. Animal Welfare, 6(3), 207–216. doi: 10.1017/S0962728600019801
  71. Silva, M. D., Silva, A. P., Coelho, M. G., Poczynek, M., Toledo, A. F., Virgínio Junior, G. F., Costa, J. H. C., & Bittar, C. M. M. (2022). Evaluation of different liquid diets associated with environmental enrichment in the performance and behaviour of dairy calves. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 54(5), 334. doi: 10.1007/s11250-022-03331-3
  72. Sinnott, A. M., Bokkers, E. A. M., Murphy, J. P., & Kennedy, E. (2022). A comparison of indoor and outdoor calf housing systems using automated and manual feeding methods and their effect on calf health, behavior, growth, and labor. Journal of Animal Science, 100(4), skac079. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac079
  73. Strappini, A. C., Monti, G., Sepúlveda-Varas, P., De Freslon, I., & Peralta, J. M. (2021). Measuring Calves’ Usage of Multiple Environmental Enrichment Objects Provided Simultaneously. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 698681. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.698681
  74. Sutherland, M. A., Stewart, M., & Schütz, K. E. (2013). Effects of two substrate types on the behaviour, cleanliness and thermoregulation of dairy calves. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 147(1–2), 19–27. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.04.018
  75. Sutherland, M. A., Worth, G. M., Schütz, K. E., & Stewart, M. (2014a). Rearing substrate and space allowance influences locomotor play behaviour of dairy calves in an arena test. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 154, 8–14. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.02.008
  76. Sutherland, M. A., Worth, G. M., & Stewart, M. (2014b). The effect of rearing substrate and space allowance on the behavior and physiology of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 97(7), 4455–4463. doi: 10.3168/jds.2013-7822
  77. Sutherland, M. A., Worth, G. M., Cameron, C., Ross, C. M., & Rapp, D. (2017). Health, physiology, and behavior of dairy calves reared on 4 different substrates. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(3), 2148–2156. doi: 10.3168/jds.2016-12074
  78. Tapki, I., & Şahin, A. (2006). Comparison of the thermoregulatory behaviours of low and high producing dairy cows in a hot environment. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 99(1–2), 1–11. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2005.10.003
  79. Taylor, P. S., Schrobback, P., Verdon, M., & Lee, C. (2023). An effective environmental enrichment framework for the continual improvement of production animal welfare. Animal Welfare, 32, e14. doi: 10.1017/awf.2023.5
  80. Tucker, C. B., Weary, D. M., Von Keyserlingk, M. A. G., & Beauchemin, K. A. (2009). Cow comfort in tie-stalls: Increased depth of shavings or straw bedding increases lying time. Journal of Dairy Science, 92(6), 2684–2690. doi: 10.3168/jds.2008-1926
  81. Ude, G., Georg, H., & Schwalm, A. (2011). Reducing milk induced cross-sucking of group housed calves by an environmentally enriched post feeding area. Livestock Science, 138(1–3), 293–298. doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2010.12.004
  82. Unsal, G., Johnson, K. F., Stergiadis, S., Bennett, R., & Barker, Z. E. (2025). A systematic review and meta-analysis of physical environmental enrichment to improve animal welfare-related outcomes in indoor cattle. Animal Welfare, 34, e37. doi: 10.1017/awf.2025.28
  83. Van Horn, H. H., Olayiwole, M. B., Wilcox, C. J., Harris, B., & Wing, J. M. (1976). Effects of Housing, Milk Feeding Management, and Ration Formulation on Calf Growth and Feed Intake. Journal of Dairy Science, 59(5), 924–929. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(76)84299-3
  84. Van Niekerk, J. K., Fischer-Tlustos, A. J., Wilms, J. N., Hare, K. S., Welboren, A. C., Lopez, A. J., Yohe, T. T., Cangiano, L. R., Leal, L. N., & Steele, M. A. (2021). ADSA Foundation Scholar Award: New frontiers in calf and heifer nutrition – From conception to puberty. Journal of Dairy Science, 104(8), 8341–8362. doi: 10.3168/jds.2020-20004
  85. Van Os, J. M. C., Goldstein, S. A., Weary, D. M., & von Keyserlingk, M. A. G. (2021). Stationary brush use in naive dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science, 104(11), 12019–12029. doi: 10.3168/jds.2021-20467
  86. Veissier, I., De Passillé, A. M., Després, G., Rushen, J., Charpentier, I., Ramirez De La Fe, A. R., & Pradel, P. (2002). Does nutritive and non-nutritive sucking reduce other oral behaviors and stimulate rest in calves? Journal of Animal Science, 80(10), 2574–2587. doi: 10.1093/ansci/80.10.2574
  87. Veissier, I., Lesimple, C., Brunet, V., Aubé, L., & Botreau, R. (2024). Review: Rethinking environmental enrichment as providing opportunities to acquire information. Animal, 18(9), 101251. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101251
  88. Velasquez-Munoz, A., Manriquez, D., Paudyal, S., Solano, G., Han, H., Callan, R., Velez, J., & Pinedo, P. (2019). Effect of a mechanical grooming brush on the behavior and health of recently weaned heifer calves. BMC Veterinary Research, 15(1). doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-2033-3
  89. Verdon, M. (2021). A review of factors affecting the welfare of dairy calves in pasture-based production systems. Animal Production Science, 62(1), 1–20. doi: 10.1071/AN21139
  90. Vicino, G. A., Sheftel, J. J., & Radosevich, L. M. (2022). Enrichment is simple, that’s the problem: Using outcome-based husbandry to shift from enrichment to experience. Animals, 12(10), 1293. doi: 10.3390/ani12101293
  91. Welk, A., Otten, N. D., & Jensen, M. B. (2023). Invited review: The effect of milk feeding practices on dairy calf behavior, health, and performance – A systematic review. Journal of Dairy Science, 106(9), 5853–5879. doi: 10.3168/jds.2022-22900
  92. Whalin, L., Weary, D. M., & Von Keyserlingk, M. A. G. (2021). Understanding Behavioural Development of Calves in Natural Settings to Inform Calf Management. Animals, 11(8), 2446. doi: 10.3390/ani11082446
  93. Whittaker, A. L., Howarth, G. S., & Hickman, D. L. (2012). Effects of space allocation and housing density on measures of wellbeing in laboratory mice: A review. Laboratory Animals, 46(1), 3–13. doi: 10.1258/la.2011.011049
  94. Widowski, T. M., Caston, L. J., Hunniford, M. E., Cooley, L., & Torrey, S. (2017). Effect of space allowance and cage size on laying hens housed in furnished cages, Part I: Performance and well-being. Poultry Science, 96(11), 3805–3815. doi: 10.3382/ps/pex197
  95. Wilson, L. L., Terosky, T. L., Stull, C. L., & Stricklin, W. R. (1999). Effects of individual housing design and size on behavior and stress indicators of special-fed Holstein veal calves. Journal of Animal Science, 77(6), 1341. doi: 10.2527/1999.7761341x
  96. Wójcik, A., Nałęcz-Tarwacka, T., & Gołębiewski, M. (2013). Comparison of calves’ rearing parameters in two different housing systems: Indoor versus outdoor hutches. Archives Animal Breeding, 56(1), 628–637. doi: 10.7482/0003-9438-56-063
  97. Wójcik, J., Pilarczyk, R., Bilska, A., Weiher, O., & Esselink, P. (2013). Performance and health of group-housed calves kept in igloo calf hutches and calf barn. Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 33(2), 175–178. http://www.pvj.com.pk/pdf-files/33_2/175-178.pdf
  98. Worth, G. M., Schütz, K. E., Stewart, M., Cave, V. M., Foster, M., & Sutherland, M. A. (2015). Dairy calves’ preference for rearing substrate. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 168, 1–9. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.04.003
  99. Yanar, M., Kartal, T. Z., Aydin, R., Kocyigit, R., & Diler, A. (2010). Effect of different floor types on the growth performance and some behavioural traits of Holstein Friesian calves. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 20, 175–179. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:55630945
  100. Yanar, M., Diler, A., Ozdemir, V., Aydin, R., Koçyiğit, R., & Gul, M. (2022). Effects of flooring types on growth performance, behaviour and health of dairy calves. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, 73(3), 4399–4406. doi: 10.12681/jhvms.27254
  101. Zhang, C., Juniper, D. T., & Meagher, R. K. (2021). Effects of physical enrichment items and social housing on calves’ growth, behaviour and response to novelty. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 237, 105295. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105295
  102. Zhang, C., Juniper, D. T., McDonald, R., Parsons, S., & Meagher, R. K. (2022a). Holstein calves’ preference for potential physical enrichment items on different presentation schedules. Journal of Dairy Science, 105(10), 8316–8327. doi: 10.3168/jds.2021-21715
  103. Zhang, C., Juniper, D. T., & Meagher, R. K. (2022b). Effects of physical enrichment and pair housing before weaning on growth, behaviour and cognitive ability of calves after weaning and regrouping. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 249, 105606. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105606
  104. Zobel, G., Neave, H. W., Henderson, H. V., & Webster, J. (2017). Use an automated brush and a hanging rope when pair-housed. Animals, 7(11), 84. doi: 10.3390/ani7110084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2027-0014 | Journal eISSN: 2300-8733 (formerly 1642-3402) | Journal ISSN: 1642-3402
Language: English
Submitted on: Mar 23, 2026
Accepted on: Jul 22, 2026
Published on: Oct 23, 2026
Published by: National Research Institute of Animal Production
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year
Related subjects:

© 2026 João Pedro Donadio, Barbara Dias Alcantara, Karolini Tenffen De-Sousa, Grazyne Tresoldi, Maria José Hötzel, Matheus Deniz, published by National Research Institute of Animal Production
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.