Social contact from birth influences personality traits of group-housed dairy calves

The objective of this study was to assess effects prior social contact on the expression personality traits in group-housed calves. Holstein heifer and bull calves were housed either individual pens (n = 16), or pairs 8 pairs) at birth before they mingled between treatments moved group approximately 2 wk life (8 calves/pen). During 4 life, tested a series standardized behavioral tests: an open field test, novel object unfamiliar calf human test. Responses test analyzed using principal component analysis, yielding factors interpreted as bold inactive/grooming. Calves grouping had greater scores for tended have lower tests similarly analyzed, 3 calf-directed, active, human-directed. human-directed did not differ. Following grouping, average daily gain, milk replacer intake, meal frequency differ previous housing treatments. Our results suggest that reflective may be influenced by from even following adaptation group-housing.