Splitting suckling data of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) neonates in human care into suckling bouts

This study presents a first approach to determine a suckling bout criterion interval (BCI) by applying a log_e frequency analysis to a dataset of Tursiops truncatus neonate feeding frequencies. The data were gathered by continuous observation on four calves 15–24 hr a day for the first 14 days postpartum. The study was conducted at the dolphinarium of the Kolmården Wild Animal Park, Kolmården, Sweden. Based on a total of 3,752 individual suckling intervals, a BCI of 107.7 sec was established. The relevance of this finding is discussed. Zoo Biol 22:477–488, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Neonatal Milestones,Behavior and Growth Rate of Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) Calves Born and Bred in Captivity

The birth of Sumatran rhino calves at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden offered a unique opportunity to study early development and cow–calf behavior in this elusive, critically endangered species. Study goals were to: (1) record developmental milestones of newborn calves; (2) characterize cow and calf behavior during the first year following birth; (3) compare trends in the behavioral development of a male vs. female calf; and (4) record weight gain and footprint size throughout the first year. In addition to recording eight neonatal milestones, more than 450 hr of behavioral data were collected on each of the two calves (one male and one female) and their dam during the first 12 months of life. Neonatal milestones were achieved within 24 hr of birth with the exception of first defecation, which occurred at 16–18 days. Although nursing bouts decreased slightly in the second half of the year (from once every 90 min to once every 2 hr), they continued to occur frequently throughout the day and night. Therefore, calves grew rapidly from approximately 33 kg at birth to 400 kg at 12 months. Average daily weight gain for the first week was approximately 2.0 kg, whereas average daily weight gain for the remaining 12 months was slight (<1 kg) and did not differ between calves. Eating and resting occupied 70–80% of the Sumatran rhino cow and calves' time and no gender biases in either maternal investment or developmental parameters were noted. Finally, footprint measurements proved valuable for estimating calf age. Zoo Biol 31:546‐560, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

饲养条件下羚牛母幼行为的初步研究

1 999年 2～ 4月期间对上海动物园繁殖场的羚牛做了有关母幼行为的初步研究。本文着重描述了羚牛的哺乳行为和母幼接触 ,并探讨了母幼关系的变化趋势。幼羚在 3日龄内吮乳频繁 ,每次吮乳( 4 56± 0 97)分钟。 3日龄后 ,母羚的哺乳次数明显减少 ,但每次哺乳的持续时间延长至 5～ 7分钟。母幼间的主要接触方式是嗅和舔 ,母羚对幼仔的接触主要集中于肛区 ( 48 8% )和头部 ( 2 5 5% )。随着幼羚周龄的增长 ,母幼关系的亲密度逐渐下降 ,主要表现在幼羚的独立性增强和母性投资的减少。     

Behavioural interactions of dairy cows with their newborn calves and the effects of parity

Continuous observations of 82 individually penned Friesian cows and their calves were made during the first 6 h post partum. The behaviour observed was similar to that described for wild ungulates of the ‘hider’ type. Cows showed a marked decrease in calf-directed activities with time after parturition. This was more pronounced in older animals, which recommenced ingestive behaviour sooner. The incidence of licking and other maternal behaviour depends upon the characteristics of the calf and upon the state of the mother. Close proximity between cow and calf was maintained, in small calving pens, by the mother at the first three calvings but by the calf after these. The eating of the afterbirth is considered to be anti-predator behaviour. Calves of primiparous dams spent more time suckling and suckled from more quarters than did calves of older cows. Primiparous dams showed a higher incidence of abnormal maternal behaviour.     

Reactions of three bottlenose dolphin dams with calves to other members of the group in connection with nursing

The suckling behavior of three bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) mother–calf pairs at the Kolmården Wild Animal Park, Sweden, was followed from birth until the calves were 1 year old, with emphasis on the behavior of the mothers toward other dolphins present in pool. The results show that 80.44% of the sucklings occurred when the dams were not accompanied by another member of the group. This preference declined, as the calf grew older, for all three dams. Three factors influenced this company preference in relation to nursing and contributed to the total variance in a detectable way: the month post partum, company preference, and the mother's ID, i.e., which mother was involved. The time between the category “dam leaves company” and the beginning of nursing increased over the months for all three dams. These results indicate that another dolphin is not automatically an asset to a dam with a newborn, and that, in human care, ample space and limited number of pool mates must be provided to allow the dam the necessary privacy in connection with nursing. Zoo Biol 0:1–13, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Behaviour of calves at introduction to nurse cows after the colostrum period

In traditional housing systems for dairy herds, calves are very often placed in single boxes and fed milk from a bucket, which may lead to abnormal behaviour. In organic herds, for whom the aim is optimal animal welfare, there is interest in using suckling systems, where the calves have the opportunity to perform natural social behaviour. The success of introducing a calf to a nurse cow is expected to depend on the calf's suckling experience, as well as the introduction procedure. A two-factorial experiment was carried out with the objective to investigate how calves are best introduced to the nurse cow during (the colostrum period (defined as the first 3 days postpartum). The calf was either with its own mother or fed colostrum from a teat-bucket. The length of the introduction period, where the calf was alone with the nurse cow before being introduced to a larger group of cows and calves, was either 1 or 2 days. The experiment showed that calves who had suckled colostrum from their own mother, suckled the nurse cow more and for longer periods than the teat-bucket fed calves (P=0.0007 on day 1 and P=0.012 on day 2). Mothered calves licked and rubbed their nurse more (16.7 times versus 7.0 times; S.E.M.+/-2.3; P<0.05) and these calves cross-suckled less than teat-bucket fed calves (19.9min versus 54.5min; S.E.M.+/-14.9; P=0.03).     

The effects of conditioning to suckling, milking and of calf presence on the release of oxytocin in dairy cows

The aim of the study was to record the oxytocin (OT) release during milking (M) without or with calf presence, suckling (S) and finally calf removal just before the next milking in cows during postpartum or early lactation periods. Furthermore, the release of OT was examined during S and M in unknown surroundings (parlour). A total of 20 Brown Swiss cows kept under loose housing environment were used in our experiment. In both periods, the cows were milked twice daily at 07.00 and 18.00h and suckled three times daily at 09.00, 14.00 and 20.00h in the stall (tie housing). In the postpartum period, 13 cows were suckled and milked in the presence of their calves in the stall for the first 5 days of postpartum. Five from seven primiparous cows were additionally suckled by their own calves in the parlour on day 5 at 20.00h. On day 6, calves were separated and moved from mothers to the calf barn 10min before morning M. After evening milking cows were relocated to the herd within the same stable and milked in the parlour for a period of 4 weeks without contact to their calf. For control, additional seven primiparous cows without calf presence (not suckled) were also milked in the tie housing. In the early lactation period, suckled cows were moved back to the tie housing 2 days before the start of two consecutive days of S by their own calves and milking. Afterwards, 10min before M calves were separated again. Before S, two consecutive M were considered as controls. Results: The S stimulus during postpartum resulted in a higher OT release as compared with M in the calf presence and M after calf separation but not during M of not suckled cows. S in parlour reduced OT release. However, when not suckled primiparous cows were first milked in parlour, OT release was more reduced and in some cows total inhibition was observed. In early lactation during the first S, release of OT was lower than during control M, but increased gradually with repeated S and reached a maximum already on the second day. After two S, during evening M, the M related OT release was reduced as compared with controls. Calf removal 10min before M reduced OT release as compared with control M or M in calf presence. In conclusion, the calf presence and its removal can negatively influence OT secretion during M. Conditioning to machine milking caused a short-term reduction of OT release during first suckling, which normalised within 1 day.     

Successful artificial insemination of an Asian elephant at the National Zoological Park

For decades, attempts to breed elephants using artificial insemination (AI) have failed despite considerable efforts and the use of various approaches. However, recent advances in equipment technology and endocrine‐monitoring techniques have resulted in 12 elephants conceiving by AI within a 4‐year period (1998–2002). The successful AI technique employs a unique endoscope‐guided catheter and transrectal ultrasound to deliver semen into the anterior vagina or cervix, and uses the “double LH surge” (i.e., identifying the anovulatory LH (anLH) surge that predictably occurs 3 weeks before the ovulatory LH (ovLH) surge to time insemination. This study describes the 6‐year collaboration between the National Zoological Park (NZP) and the Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany, that led to the refinement of this AI technique and subsequent production of an Asian elephant calf. The NZP female was the first elephant to be inseminated using the new AI approach, and was the fifth to conceive. A total of six AI trials were conducted beginning in 1995, and conception occurred in 2000. Semen was collected by manual rectal stimulation from several bulls in North America. Sperm quality among the bulls was variable and was thus a limiting factor for AI. For the successful AI, semen quality was good to excellent (75–90% motile sperm), and sperm was deposited into the anterior vagina on the day before and the day of the ovLH surge. Based on transrectal ultrasound, ovulation occurred the day after the ovLH surge. Pregnancy was monitored by serum and urinary progestagen, and serum prolactin analyses in samples collected weekly. Fetal development was assessed at 12, 20, and 28 weeks of gestation using transrectal ultrasound. Elevated testosterone measured in the maternal circulation after 36 weeks of gestation reliably predicted the calf was a male. Parturition was induced by administration of 40 IU oxytocin 3 days after serum progestagens dropped to undetectable baseline levels. We conclude that AI has potential as a supplement to natural breeding, and will be invaluable for improving the genetic management of elephants, provided that problems associated with inadequate numbers of trained personnel and semen donors are resolved. Zoo Biol 23:45–63, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Cross-sucking and other oral behaviours in calves, and their relation to cow suckling and food provision

Abnormal oral behaviour in calves is believed to develop when there is a lack of opportunity to suckle, but it is unclear whether they need access to their mother or whether a multiple suckling system will suffice to prevent this behaviour from developing. Therefore, in an initial experiment, the behaviour of calves that suckled their own mother or another cow for 15 min each day was compared with that of artificially-reared calves which had no opportunity to suckle. Cows were mechanically milked twice daily, after which they were either suckled for 15 min by their own calf (Treatment O), multiple-suckled by other cows’ calves (Treatment M) or unsuckled with the calves reared artificially (Treatment A). There was no difference between treatments in the time that calves spent consuming milk, but suckling calves consumed less milk than those reared artificially. The incidence of cross-sucking was greater for non-suckled calves (1.8 events/day) than for suckled calves (0.33 events/day, with no difference between Treatments O and M). In the non-suckled calves, cross-sucking was at its highest frequency 1 min after the end of milk-feeding and declined linearly to negligible levels at 13 min post-milk feeding. For calves in this treatment, most (78%) of the cross-sucking was directed at the inguinal region (especially the udder or scrotum) of other calves, whereas in suckled calves, most of the cross-sucking (81%) was directed at the mouths of other calves. The time spent consuming concentrate feed, and the amount of feed consumed, was greater for artificially-reared calves, compared with suckled calves, suggesting that food ingestion could provide a replacement stimulus. In a second experiment, it was observed that before weaning, the time that calves spent licking their pen or bucket increased until feed intake was sufficient to stimulate significant amounts of rumination, after which it declined. It is concluded that cross-sucking of artificially-reared calves, which is derived from motivation to perform sucking in the inguinal region, can be prevented by providing short access to either the calf’s dam or another cow for two short periods each day. In the absence of a cow to suckle, the calves lick inanimate objects repeatedly until the consumption of solid food stimulates rumination.     

Effect of forty-eight-hour calf removal, once- or twice-daily suckling and Norgestomet on beef cow and calf performance

Trials were conducted in 1980 and 1981 to evaluate the effects of once-daily suckling, twice-daily suckling, 48-h calf removal, and Norgestomet on performance of spring-calving cows and their calves. Eighty-three and 73 Polled Hereford and 29 and 42 Simmental-cross cows were utilized in 1980 and 1981, respectively. Cows were allotted by age, breed, calving date and winter nutrition treatment to one of four groups: 1) once-daily suckle for 24 d starting 11 d before the beginning of the breeding season, 2) twice-daily suckle (same time frame as 1), 3) 48-h calf removal ending immediately before the breeding season, 4) calves remained with cows (controls). One-half.of each group was implanted with Norgestomet from 11 until 2 d before the start of the breeding season. Once- and twice-daily suckling increased (P<0.05) the percentage of noncycling cows showing estrus the first 3 wk after the start of treatment. Pregnancy rates for the breeding season were higher (P<0.1) in the once-daily suckle and 48-h calf removal groups for cows that had not exhibited estrus before the beginning of treatment. Norgestomet increased (P<0.05) the percentage of cows showing estrus within 3 wk after the start of treatment within the 48-h calf-removal and control groups. Milk production was not affected (P>0.1) by suckling treatment. Calf weight gains during suckling treatment were greater (P<0.05) in control and twice-daily suckled calves than in 48-h calf removal or once-daily suckled calves. Suckling treatment did not affect (P>0.1) adjusted weaning weights of calves or frequency and duration of suckling recorded 2 wk after the end of suckling treatment.     

Reproductive performance of synchronized beef cows as affected by inhibition of suckling with nose tags or temporary calf removal

A study was conducted to determine whether presence of the calf during suckling inhibition influences the response to estrus synchronization in beef cows. Angus or Hereford cows (n=89) were administered Syncro-Mate-B (SMB), which consisted of a 6-mg norgestomet ear implant (in situ 9 d) in conjunction with 5 mg of estradiol valerate and 3 mg (im) of norgestomet. Cows were allotted by breed, body condition, stage of the estrous cycle, parity and date of parturition to 1 of 3 treatments: 48-h calf removal; ad libitum suckling; or inhibition of suckling with a nose tag for 48 h. Calves were weighed at time of SMB implant removal, 48 h later and at weaning. Cows were mated via AI approximately 12 h after detection of estrus during a 30-d period after implant removal followed by a natural service period of 35 d. At 48 h after implant removal, calf removal and nose tag calves had lost an average of 3.6 and 0.9 kg, respectively, while the suckled calves gained 1.8 kg (P < 0.01). Mean calf weight at weaning did not differ among treatments. Synchronized estrous response (within 5 d of implant removal) was not different among treatments. Pregnancy rate for cows exhibiting a synchronized estrus (5 d AI) for calf removal, nose tag and suckled cows was 76, 48 and 48%, respectively (P>0.10). Treatment did not affect the 30-d AI or overall 65-d pregnancy rate. In this study, there were no differences observed in the percentage of synchronized or pregnant cows following suckling inhibition by either a nose tag or calf removal. Transient reductions of calf body weight during the 48-h calf removal period did occur in both the nose tag and calf removal groups.     

Mechanical masking of neurosensory pathways at the calf-teat interface: endocrine, reproductive and lactational features of the suckled anestrous cow

A mammary somatosensory mask was employed in suckled anestrous beef cows to attenuate signals that were hypothesized to play a direct regulatory role in postpartum anestrus. Cows (n = 20) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups on Days 15 to 20 postcalving. The three treatments were: 1) masked (n = 7); 2) suckled (negative control, n = 6); and 3) weaned (positive control, n = 7). Four layers of surgical glove latex were used to cover the teats and ventro-lateral prominence of the udder of masked cows with a nonhardening, nontoxic adhesive (Day 0). Masks were designed to prevent direct contact between the skin of the teat/udder and the mouth of the calf and to allow normal suckling and milk removal. Masks were left in place for 7 d, with calves in the weaned group removed to a remote location for 7 d. Calves in the suckled group were allowed ad libitum suckling. Calves in the masked group tended (P < 0.1) to suckle longer than calves in the suckled control group (11.3 +/- 1.3 vs. 7.8 +/- 1.3 min/suckle) posttreatment; however, suckling frequency and calf weight gains did not differ due to treatment. Weaned cows exhibited a four-fold increase (P < 0.01) in the frequency of luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses on Day 2 relative to suckled and masked cows. The percentage of animals ovulating within 12 d after treatment differed (P < 0.05) and was 100, 50 and 0% for weaned, suckled and masked cows, respectively. Presence of the latex mask allowed essentially normal suckling and lactation, but failed to attenuate (and may have potentiated) the negative effects of suckling on secretory patterns of LH, ovulation and estrus.     

Mother-calf relationships and maternal investment in European bison<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bison bonasus</Emphasis>

Mother-young relationships, up to the third month of the calves’ life, were investigated in European bisonBison bonasus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Białowieża National Park breeding centres (Poland). During the first week, calves spent most of their time close to their mothers and were rarely seen in the vicinity of other group members. Highest suckling rate, most frequent vocal contact and agonistic behaviour of mothers towards intruders, were other characteristics of this period. Although being a forest species, European bison exhibit a following type of strategy for offspring protection, typical for ungulates living in open areas; no hiding phase was observed. Suckling rates were similar in calves of both sexes, however, the pattern of nursing was different: male calves suckled longer, but in rarer bouts than female calves. The mothers’ condition, reflected by their social rank, did not influence the suckling rate. No sex differences were recorded in other maternal activities or mother-calf distance. The presumption of a lack of sex-biased maternal investment in European bison is confirmed by the results of other research.     

The Function of Mounting Behaviour in Farmed Red Deer Calves

The function of mounting behaviour was studied in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) calves. On the basis of previous work, we tested two alternative hypotheses about the function of this behaviour. The first hypothesis deals with the proximate function of the behaviour. Three predictions were tested: (1a) mounting behaviour attracts the attention of the mother and/or consolidates the mother–calf bond; (1b) mounting is intended to obtain more milk; (1c) mounting is intended to prevent other calves from sucking from the mother. The second hypothesis deals with an ultimate function in practising for future life with two predictions tested: (2a) mounting behaviour is part of calves' play behaviour promoting development of the calf's locomotor and social skills; (2b) calves gain sexual experience through mounting behaviour. For the study, 50 hind‐calf pairs were observed. The maternity of individual hinds was confirmed by a genetical analysis. The hinds were classified as ‘maternal’ and ‘non‐maternal’ and the calves as ‘filial’ and ‘non‐filial’. We recorded 40 cases of mounting behaviour involving 25 hinds and 21 calves. Our results suggest that the mounting behaviour of red deer calves serves several different functions depending on the circumstances. In association with suckling, calves of both sexes mounted maternal hinds mainly to attract their attention and to achieve another suckling. In situations not associated with suckling, mounting by male calves might be considered part of their sexual training. On the other hand, mounting by female calves probably reflects the attempt to maintain contact with their mother in tense situations.     

Physiological regulation of maternal behavior in heifers: roles of genital stimulation, intracerebral oxytocin release, and ovarian steroids.

We tested the hypotheses that 1) epidural anesthesia at parturition would block both peripheral and central release of oxytocin and eliminate the development of maternal behavior in primiparous heifers and 2) estradiol priming, genital stimulation, and appropriate neonatal stimuli would induce maternal behavior in nulliparous heifers. In experiment 1, primiparous crossbred heifers (n = 13) with cannulas in the third cerebroventricle (IIIV) were assigned randomly to receive epidural treatments of saline (SAL; n = 6) or lidocaine HCl (EPI; n = 7) at the onset of labor induced between Days 270 and 280 of gestation. Epidural anesthesia blocked (P < 0.001) both central and peripheral release of oxytocin and markedly reduced (P < 0.05) or eliminated licking behaviors during a 3-h period following parturition as compared with SAL. Following approximately 1 wk of controlled daily suckling, during which calves were permitted access only to the inguinal region of their dams (three times daily for 10 min each time), a second maternal behavior test was performed. Although licking behavior remained markedly reduced (P < 0.001) in the EPI compared with the SAL groups, all heifers accepted their calf at the udder. In experiments 2-4, neither estradiol priming in ovariectomized heifers nor estradiol plus progesterone in intact heifers resulted in an induction of maternal behaviors following genital stimulation and presentation of a neonate wetted with amniotic fluid. Pelvic sensory deficits apparently block oxytocin release and disturb both short-latency and long-term maternal behaviors but do not result ultimately in rejection of the calf. Combinations of hormonal, sensory, olfactory, and visual cues observed previously to induce maternal behavior in nulliparous ewes do not appear adequate for induction of maternal behavior in nulliparous heifers.     

Maximum rate of increase in the African Elephant

The theoretical maximum rate of increase for the African elephant is calculated at 7%. This figure agrees closely with the rate of increase observed at Addo Elephant Park, the highest rate of increase reported for elephants living under natural conditions. An elephant population increasing at the maximum rate soon reaches a stable age distribution in which 48% of the animals are older than 11 years of age, (the age of first reproduction) and 6.7% are calves (less than one year old). Several papers have reported frequencies of calves in natural populations of up to twice this percentage. Calculations are presented to show that such high calf frequencies are both theoretically impossible on a sustained basis, and internally inconsistent with the population data presented in these papers.     

Effect of monensin and suckling on the GnRH induced luteinizing hormone surge and the effect of monensin on the postpartum interval in Brangus cows

Twenty-seven fall calving Brangus cows were randomly allotted to one of four treatment groups: nonsuckled monensin (NSM), suckled monensin (SM), nonsuckled control (NSC), and suckled control (SC). Cows were group fed 1.82 kg/hd/day concentrate and Coastal bermuda grass hay $\text{ad}$$\text{libitum}$. Monensin cows received 200 mg monensin/hd/day in the concentrate. At 0800 hr on day 21 postcalving, the calves were separated from the cows. Suckled monensin and SC cows were allowed to suckle their calves for 30 min at 6-hr intervals. Nonsuckled monensin and NSC cows were not suckled. Calves were given free access to the cows after 1400 hr on day 22 postpartum. At 0800 hr on day 22 postpartum, a blood sample was collected. A 100 μg GnRH challenge was administered IM at 0801 hr. Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 6 hr postinjection. Changes in body weight and body condition from day 21 postpartum to the day of first estrus were not different (P>0.10) by dietary treatment. Monensin cows consumed 10.7% less hay than did the control cows. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) following GnRH was greater (P<0.005) in suckled than nonsuckled cows. Control cows released more (P<0.005) LH in response to GnRH than did the monensin cows. The postpartum interval (to first estrus) for the monensin cows (92.4±14.7 days) was shorter (P<0.025) than the controls (138.5±9.5 days). A greater proportion (P<0.005) of the monensin cows (8 of 14) exhibited estrus by 90 days postpartum compared to the control cows (0 of 13). Monensin and suckling appear to exert independent and agonistic influences on pituitary function in the postpartum beef cow.     

Giraffe Cow-Calf Relationships and Social Development of the Calf in the Serengeti

Activity patterns of giraffe calves and calf-mother distances have been studied as functions of age and sex of the calf in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Particular attention was paid to the nature of the cow calf bond, suckling behavior, the social development of the calf, relationships between calves and between mother-calf pairs in calf groups, and the anti-predator behavior of mother and calf.     

Variation in the Composition of Milk of Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) Throughout Lactation

We investigated milk nutrient composition from three Asian elephant cows over the first 3 years of lactation, including two consecutive lactations in one cow. Body mass gain is presented for three calves during the first year. Milk samples (n = 74) were analyzed for dry matter (DM), fat, crude protein (CP), sugar, ash, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K); gross energy (GE) was calculated. Concentrations of most nutrients changed over lactation: DM, fat, CP, Ca, P, and GE were positively correlated to calf age; sugar was negatively correlated to calf age. GE doubled between birth (1 kcal/g) and 2 years of age (2 kcal/g). After accounting for calf age, GE, fat, Ca, and P concentrations differed among the cows. Milk composition also differed between two lactations from the same cow. When milk nutrients were expressed on a mg per kcal basis, the pattern changes: CP, Ca, and P remained relatively constant over lactation on a per energy basis. Calf mass quadrupled over the first year of life; mass gain was linear at 0.9 kg/day. Asian elephant milk composition is variable, both across lactations and between cows, complicating efforts to determine representative values for comparative studies and for the formulation of elephant milk formulas. The fact that CP, Ca, and P were all relatively constant when expressed on a per energy basis may be of biological significance. The increase in nutrient density over lactation undoubtedly limits maternal water loss, reducing the volume of milk necessary to support the calf. Zoo Biol 32:291–298, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mother-young relationships in Belgian Blue cattle after a Caesarean section: characterisation and effects of parity

The systematic use of Caesarean section in "double muscled" Belgian Blue cattle can induce ethical concerns. The aims of the following study was to characterise mother-young relationships in such a situation and to assess the effect of parity. Fifteen heifers and 15 cows of the Belgian Blue breed were observed using video recording when isolated with their calf during the 3 days following Caesarean, a rapid surgery with rare occurrence of aggressive behaviour and no sign of cows' discomfort or weakness. All calves were bottle-fed mother's colostrum once before first suckling occurred. Heifers' calves received a supplementary number of three such artificial meals, while cows' calves needed only one. The overall median time to first licking of the calf by the mother was 3.3min without any effect of parity. The mean licking frequency was 29.2+/-15.8 per 24h: heifers licked their calf less frequently than cows, respectively 23.4+/-15.3 per 24h versus 35.1+/-14.5 per 24h (P<0.05). The mean total licking duration was 42.2+/-25.9min per 24h: there was no significant difference between heifers and cows. The overall median time to first suckling was 6.1h, without any effect of parity. The mean suckling frequency was 8.4+/-4.8 per 24h: for half of these suckling bouts, the calf was situated on the left side of the mother, i.e. the side of the scar. The suckling frequency was negatively correlated with the number of artificial meals (r(s)=-0.45,P<0.05). Heifers suckled their calf less often than cows, respectively 6.1+/-3.1 per 24h versus 10.7+/-5.2 per 24h (P<0.01), but the left side proportion was not significantly different. The mean suckling total duration was 35.3+/-21.0min per 24h. The calf was on the left side of the mother during half of this time. Heifers suckled their calf during a shorter time than cows, respectively 26.9+/-20.0min per 24h versus 43.8+/-19.1min per 24h (P<0.05), and the left side proportion was not significantly different. Licking frequency and suckling duration were positively correlated (r=0.43,P<0.05). Only 10% of the mothers (one heifer and two cows) butted their calf and kicking was never observed. Despite the difficult comparison with results of the literature according to various methodologies, mother-young relationships were considered as similar to those reported after natural calving. In our study, cows can be considered as better mothers than heifers.