Short communications: an ear-attached accelerometer detects effects of regrouping on lying, rumination, and activity times in calves

The objective of this study was to use a sensor-based accelerometer (ACC) to identify changes in lying, rumination, and activity times in weaned calves during the moving and regrouping process. Overall, 270 healthy Holstein calves (from approximately 16 regrouping events) at the age of approximately...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary research communications 2023-12, Vol.47 (4), p.2333-2337
Main Authors: Ramezani Gardaloud, N., Guse, C., Lidauer, L., Steininger, A., Kickinger, F., Öhlschuster, M., Auer, W., Iwersen, M., Drillich, M., Klein-Jöbstl, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accelerometers
Accelerometry - veterinary
Algorithms
Animal welfare
Animals
Behavior
Behavior, Animal
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Brief Report
Cattle
Ear
Health care
Life Sciences
Milk production
Rumination
Time Factors
Veterinary medicine
Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science
Zoology
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Summary:The objective of this study was to use a sensor-based accelerometer (ACC) to identify changes in lying, rumination, and activity times in weaned calves during the moving and regrouping process. Overall, 270 healthy Holstein calves (from approximately 16 regrouping events) at the age of approximately 4 months were enrolled and equipped with an ear-attached ACC (SMARTBOW, Smartbow GmbH/ Zoetis LLC). Sensor data were recorded for 5 d before (d -5) until 4 d after moving and regrouping (d 4). The day of regrouping was defined as d 0. Acceleration data were continuously processed by specific algorithms (developed by SMARTBOW) for lying, rumination, and activity. Lying, rumination, and activity times were averaged from d -5 to d -3 to generate a baseline value for each parameter. Parameters on d 0 to d 4 after regrouping were compared to this baseline. All parameters showed significant changes compared with the baseline at d 0. Significant decreases in rumination and inactive times were seen up to d 2. Lying time was significantly lower until d 3. The study results indicate that the ACC can be used to monitor the disruptive effects of regrouping on lying and rumination behaviors. Further research is necessary to elucidate how these changes have an impact on health, performance, and welfare and to evaluate how to reduce these potentially negative effects.
ISSN:0165-7380
1573-7446
DOI:10.1007/s11259-023-10151-9