HOUSING CONDITIONS IN CALVES WELFARE RISK ASSESSMENT

This paper shows results of calf welfare risk assessment at intensivebreeding farms. Assessment has been conducted on the basis of housing conditionswhich can have negative influence on welfare of cattle, especially in calf categoryconsidering their needs. According to analysis results very good housing conditionswere confirmed in open shed rearing stall (C) and closed type rearing stall withoutfeeding yard (A), whilst in closed rearing stall with feeding yard (B) housingconditions were estimated as acceptable. Based on collected data about housingconditions, we have estimated that the least risk for calf welfare is at C farm, slightlyhigher at A farm and the highest at B farm. Data about housing conditions and analysisof potential welfare risk factors show possible causes for already present health andother problems with animals, which also can reappear in future. However for thatreason, applying described methods can increase rearing conditions and increaseproduction at cattle farms.