PLAY-BEHAVIOR IN DAIRY CALVES KEPT IN PENS - THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL CONTACT AND SPACE ALLOWANCE

The effects of social contact and space allowance on the expression of play behaviour in domestic calves were studied. Forty-eight female da iry calves in three groups were housed in one of four pen types: (1) s mall single pen (0.9 m x 1.5 m); (2) large single pen (1.8 m x 3.0 m); (3) small group pen (1.8 m X 3.0 m for 3 calves); and (4) large group pen (3.0 m x 5.4 m for 4 calves). The behaviour of all calves was vid eo-recorded for 8 h in week 2 and for 24 h in weeks 4 and 6 of the exp eriment. Data for play behaviour were obtained from each individual fo r all hours of observation. In weeks 4 and 6, space allowance affected the quantity of locomotor play. A low space allowance reduced locomot or play in both individually and group-reared calves. The quality of l ocomotor play was also affected. Elements of locomotor play that invol ve much movement were either absent or rarely seen in the small single pens. Furthermore, calves in single pens were less active than calves in group pens. The results of this study indicate that sufficient spa ce is essential for the expression of play behaviour in domestic calve s. It is suggested that play behaviour may be used to indicate the pre sence of good welfare in calves and in juveniles of other farm animal species. The use of a measure to indicate the presence of good welfare in addition to measures to indicate the absence of poor welfare may b e a step towards a better assessment of welfare in farm animals. (C) 1 998 Elsevier Science B.V.