Investigation of a Standardized Qualitative Behaviour Assessment and Exploration of Potential Influencing Factors on the Emotional State of Dairy Calves

• DOI: 10.3390/ani9100757
• Publication Date: 2019-10-02T12:17:54Z
• Authors: Marta Brscic; Nina Dam Otten; Barbara Contiero; Marlene Katharina...
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; term list; Organic; organic; Veterinary medicine; 0402 animal and dairy science; Calves; emotional state; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences; farm size; Article; calves; Term list; QL1-991; SF600-1100; Emotional state; Farm size; Zoology

Assessing emotional states of dairy calves is an essential part welfare assessment, but standardized protocols are absent. The present study aims at assessing the and establishing a reliable standard procedure with Qualitative Behavioral Assessment (QBA) 20 defined terms. Video material was used to compare multiple observer results. Further, live observations were performed on 49 herds in Denmark Italy. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified agreement QBA dimensions (PC). For achieving overall judgment, PC1-scores turned into Welfare Quality (WQ) criterion 'Positive Emotional State'. Finally, farm factors' influence WQ evaluated by mixed linear models. PCA summarized descriptors as PC1 'Valence' PC2 'Arousal' (explained variation 40.3% 13.3%). highest positive descriptor loadings Happy (0.92) Nervous (0.72) PC2. WQ-criterion score (WQ-C12) average 51.1 ± 9.0 points (0: worst 100: excellent state) 'Number calves', 'Farming style', 'Breed' explained 18% variability it. We conclude that terms achieved high portion providing differentiated view state calves. term list proved need good training for agreement.