Maternal Care Behavior in Cows: From Birth to Weaning

1. Dam/Offspring Interaction

2. Dam/Offspring Interaction • What type of relationship is it? • Care giving and care seeking • Giving on the part of the mother, known as “Maternal” • Care seeking on the part of the young • Begin shortly after birth & extend until the young are weaned

3. Pre-Calving Behavior • At calving cows will seek isolation • Where they can find a place to hide out • Why?

4. Post-Calving Behavior • Following birth the care giving behavior begins almost immediately • the dam will get up & lick her calf to dry it • Some cows will simultaneously lick & vocalize to the calf • the calf attempts to stand, the cow may become very attentive & nervous as the calf stands, takes a few steps & falls • the calf eventually makes its way to its feet & instinctively searches for a teat • Why is this important?

5. The Newborn Calf • Cannot see well, but can smell, touch, taste & hear • Associates the security & care that it receives with its mother • this is the beginning of the herding instinct

6. Calving on Pasture • Cow usually hides her calf • While the calf sleeps, the cow will graze • At intervals she will return to feed her calf • If the cow must leave to seek water or supplemental feed, she doesn't wander far

7. Baby-sitting Behavior • Where there are a number of newborn calves: • Part of a group of mothers will leave for feed or water, while one or two remain with all of the calves • When the first cow returns, the “baby-sitters” will take their turn and depart • In this way there are always older cows with calves • Why doesn’t this work with a group of heifers?

8. Protective Behavior • If a calf is approached by a human it will usually lie as close to the ground as possible, without any movement except its eyes. • If frightened, the calf will bawl or cry out • If mother hears the cry, she will come quickly, often ready to fight • If there are other cows in the area, they may join the response

9. Recognition Between Dam & Calf • When the calf is older recognition between dam & calf is by: • smell • sight • sound • Cows will sniff the calf after being away for a time • A calf recognizes its mother’s call

10. Attachment Between Cow & Calf • Attachment of the cow to the calf is very strong • the calf will accept separation with less stress than will the dam • Calves that are removed from their mothers during the first hour or so after birth are frequently rejected when reunited