Environmental enrichments for calves: adaptation of existing toys and sensory objects from other species

Environmental enrichment has been widely studied and implemented to improve well being of the captive animals. However, in case of dairy farms, especially for calves, remains and area of interest. This thesis explores the potential adaptation of existing enrichment practices used in other species to dairy calves, focusing on promoting natural behaviors, reducing stress, and enhancing their development. A systematic literature review was conducted, assessing studies from PubMed, Scopus, and other relevant databases, comparing both animate and inanimate enrichments. Animate enrichments involve interactions with other animals, while inanimate enrichments focus on sensory, physical, and cognitive stimuli such as toys, feeding puzzles, and sensory objects