It begins with the first lick after birth, which is repeated to strengthen the bond. Pheromones provide unique olfactory signals that act as internal receptors for mom, and help her differentiate her baby from all the others.
Playback studies in cattle have shown that calves are able to identify their own mother's vocalizations (Barfield, Tang- Martinez, & Trainer, 1994; Marchant-Forde, Marchant-Forde, & Weary, 2002). However, there has been no definitive test of maternal recognition of calf vocalizations.
The act of nursing triggers release of oxytocin, the hormone that stimulates uterine contractions and milk letdown, and makes a cow or heifer feel more motherly. In some instances, a heifer may not have much milk at first. Then as her milk starts to come in, she becomes more interested in her calf.
Calves and juveniles stay close to their mothers' sides for a long time, even if they are able to feed themselves. Belugas remain near their mothers for three years, sometimes even longer. During this period, mother and calf develop a strong bond, which is essential for the offspring's survival.
Close contact with the calf in the first few hours after birth is considered essential to establish a maternal bond, and provides the dam with olfactory and gustatory input to recognize on her offspring22.
Separating mothers and babies
In heart-wrenching scenes, cows have been witnessed chasing after a trailer carrying their calf away. Mothers have been known to grieve for days after their calf is removed, bellowing loudly in distress. To make matters worse, dairy cows are kept almost continually impregnated.
Cows. Cows instantly form strong bonds with their calves. Directly after birth, the mother will lick and nuzzle her calf clean, making a unique sound which encourages the calf to get up and nurse. In the dairy industry, calves are taken away from their mothers within hours or a couple of days after birth.
If you have ever watched a calf nurse from a mama cow, you probably saw them banging their head into her udder. This is normal behavior that stimulates the udder to “let down” additional milk for the hungry calf.
Under natural conditions calves would stay with their mother, who would provide them with nourishment, until natural weaning at around 8 months old.
Calves are born with low immunity, and this is boosted by drinking colostrum, the first milk from their mothers, in the first 24 hours of life.
Cows are naturally inquisitive creatures, and they look at you mostly out of pure curiosity. Interestingly, cows have great memories—they're able to recognize hundreds of individual faces. They could be staring at you to memorize your face for next time they see you!
Do Cows Bond With Humans? They certainly can, and do. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest this. From the author of “The Secret Life of Cows” to the insight of veterinarians and the work of D. H. Lawrence, cows are often described as capable of forming close relationships with humans.
Effect on the mother cow
Farmers admit cows often "cry for days" after their babies are taken away. In at least one community, locals have reported the crying and bellowing to police, afraid something was wrong.
They dislike the smells of dung and saliva, so when housed, their feeding area needs to be kept clean and smell fresh, not contaminated with dung, saliva or exudate from other cows' noses.
According to research, cows are generally quite intelligent animals who can remember things for a long time. Animal behaviorists have found that they interact in socially complex ways, developing friendships over time and sometimes holding grudges against other cows who treat them badly.
Cows Love Their Babies
Cows have strong maternal bonds and are attentive, protective, and loving parents. When allowed, a mother cow may nurse her calf for as long as three years. The mother-child bond continues after weaning; mothers and their children remain close to each other for life.
Calves can be weaned from milk when they are eating daily 1.5 to 2 pounds of starter (Holsteins) for three days in a row. Thus, calves should not be weaned based on age but rather on the basis of their intake of starter. Some calves can be weaned at four weeks of age, whereas others may be up to 10 weeks of age.
This is done to reduce the risk of disease transmission to the calf (e.g. Bovine Johne's Disease, a bacterial infection that is transmitted through calf contact with contaminated feces), to ensure adequate colostrum and feed intake, and to simplify disease detection.
First-calf heifers produce less oxytocin than cows that have had previous calves. This may be why some heifers reject or abandon their calves.
Signs that a calf has nursed include wet or curled hair around teats and a shiny appearance to teats. Calves need to receive colostrum from the dam as soon as possible, preferably within the first three hours after birth (sooner in extreme weather).
Cows which experience pain due to teat lesions are more likely to kick during milking. In contrast, fearful cows do not usually show kicking behaviour. Kicking is also an indicator of discomfort caused by low milk flow and vacuum milking.
Cows are Loving and Forgiving.
Cows enjoy loving touch such as a belly rub or ear scratch. They appreciate praise and affection. Cows can even learn to trust humans again after being abused. They are just incredible.
Those of us who readily mistake one cow for another may be surprised to learn that these animals not only recognize one another as individuals, but have friends they prefer. Indeed, it turns out that cows are especially interested in—and affectionate toward—particular other cows.
Bulling is a behaviour seen in cattle when one mounts another, usually when one or the other is a female in oestrus (on heat); "bulling" is commonly used as a term for a female in oestrus. Female cattle in oestrus may mount any adult cattle, especially a bull (fertile male) if one is present, but they will also mount ...