Drinking frequency and locomotor activity of cows and calves as measured by triaxial accelerometers and proximity loggers

Understanding cattle drinking behavior is essential for improving animal welfare and management strategies. This study monitored the drinking frequency and locomotor activity of pregnant cows, nursing cows, and their suckling calves via proximity loggers with integrated accelerometers. Three nursing cows, their 4-month-old calves, and 4 late-pregnancy cows were observed for seven consecutive days under farm conditions. The daily number of visits to the water trough did not differ significantly among nursing cows (3.1 ± 0.9), pregnant cows (3.4 ± 0.2), and calves (4.0 ± 0.4). All groups showed a drinking peak at 0900 h, with additional peaks at 1100 h for pregnant cows and at 1700 h for nursing cows and calves. Nursing cows were consistently more active than calves or pregnant cows and tended to have higher circadian MESOR and amplitude values. Calves had a significantly lower circadianity index, suggesting weaker and less stable daily rhythms. In conclusion, while drinking frequency was similar across physiological classes, circadian analyses revealed differences in rhythm robustness, with nursing cows exhibiting the most stable patterns and calves showing evidence of immature circadian regulation.