Decrease in cow-calf attachment after weaning.

Experiments were undertaken to measure attraction of suckler calves to their dams after separation for abrupt weaning. On days 0, 2, 7 and 20 after weaning in experiment 1 and on days 1, 9, 16, 24 and 35 after weaning in experiment 2, calves were observed in a pen where they could stay either near the dam or near another familiar cow or calf. On days 0, 2, 7, 20 and 35, calves and their dams were reunited for 2 min. Calves showed a preference for the dam to another cow up to day 24 and to a calf up to day 9 only. From day 20, cows rejected their calves at suckling. It is concluded that the calves remained attracted by their dams for at least three weeks after weaning while the cows already rejected them. In addition, attraction between calves increased after weaning.