Sinead Croarkin

• BSc (Hons) Animal Science
• Can brushing reduce chronic stress levels in calves?

It is recognised that welfare is compromised in young dairy calves, taken from their mothers soon after birth and made to drink and eat from a bucket, because it is stressful. This project will determine if grooming can reduce this separation and weaning stress measured using the Polar^TM heart monitor. Research has shown brushing dairy cattle improves handling behaviour and reduces their heart rate; benefiting welfare and productivity. The hypothesis is that the calming effect of grooming will reduce stress levels in young dairy calves and make them less fearful.

Funding Source: Newcastle University