Limited Short-Term Effects of Tactile Stimulation on the Welfare of Newborn Nellore Calves

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tactile stimulation on calf welfare. A total of 54 Nellore calves were assessed, with 28 of them receiving tactile stimulation (WTS) for similar to 60 s and 26 serving as a control. Five body movements and seven facial expressions were scored. Heart rates (HRs) were recorded in three situations: when the calves were placed in lateral recumbency (HR1), during identification procedures (HR2), and after completion of identification procedures (HR3). The differences between HR3 and HR1, as well as HR3 and HR2 were calculated. Initial and weaning weights were recorded, and ADG and weaning weights adjusted to 240 days were determined. Tactile stimulation significantly influenced "head movements", "third eyelid" exposure, "eye-opening", and "strained nostrils". Except for "strained nostrils", WTS calves exhibited higher scores in these behavioral categories. Treatment also influenced the difference between HR3 and HR2 (p 0.05). We conclude that tactile stimulation of newborn Nellore calves during their initial handling has the potential to enhance their short-term welfare, but only to a limited extent.