The publication describes the natural relationship between the cow and her calf and draws conclusions for the species-appropriate rearing of calves.

Calf husbandry in a mother-bonded or fostered calf rearing system is of growing interest to livestock farmers. More and more dairy farmers want to leave calves with their mothers for longer and still milk the cows. The cow and her calf should be able to live out their natural relationship more intensively.

Some livestock farmers have gained experience with mother-bonded and fostered calf rearing and have developed their own methods. This technical guide makes them available to other livestock farmers. The guide provides numerous ideas for the organisation of cow-bound calf rearing and the appropriate layout and equipment of the barn.