This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal stocking density during late pregnancy (approximately 60 ± 4 days before calving) on offspring performance during the pre-weaning period. Forty-five dairy calves were born to cows that went through either industry minimum standards (H: n = 24, high stocking density) or more extensive space allowances (L: n = 21, low stocking density) during the dry period. Body weight and average daily gain during the pre-weaning period (day 1–49) were measured. Observations were made of: (i) activity levels (day 2–6); ii) the level of training required to use an automatic feeder, and behavioural reactions to the group environment (d7); (iii) feeding and social behaviour in the group pen (day 7–21); and (iv) responses to weaning (day 40–49) and disbudding (day 28+). Compared to L calves, H calves made more frequent social contacts with pen mates in the group pen (p = 0.003) and decreased their lying time around weaning (p = 0.045). Among the healthy calves, L calves displayed more severe behavioural reactions to the disbudding procedure (p < 0.001), a significant increase in salivary cortisol concentrations (p = 0.013), and more frequent pain-related behaviour (p = 0.036). This study indicated associations between maternal stocking density during late pregnancy and some welfare-relevant offspring outcomes during the pre-weaning period; these effects were found to be modulated by offspring health status.

中文翻译：

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干旱时期母体高放养密度对奶牛犊健康，行为和福利的影响。

这项研究旨在调查妊娠后期（产犊前约60±4天）的母体放养密度对断奶前期后代性能的影响。符合行业最低标准（H：n = 24，高放养密度）或更广泛的空间配额（L：n =21，较低的放养密度）。断奶前（1-49天）的体重和平均日增重被测量。观察到：（i）活动水平（第2-6天）；ii）使用自动进纸器所需的培训水平以及对小组环境的行为反应（d7）；（iii）小组中的喂养和社交行为（第7-21天）；（iv）对断奶（第40-49天）和出乳（第28天以上）的反应。与L型犊牛相比，H型犊牛与围栏中的同伴进行更频繁的社交接触（p = 0.003），并减少了断奶前后的躺卧时间（p = 0.045）。在健康的犊牛中，L犊牛对排卵过程表现出更严重的行为反应（p<0.001），唾液皮质醇浓度显着增加（p = 0.013），更常见的疼痛相关行为（p = 0.036）。这项研究表明，妊娠后期母体放养密度与断奶前一些与福利有关的后代结局之间存在关联。发现这些影响受子代健康状况的调节。