A meta-analysis approach to evaluate the effects of early group housing on calf performance, health, and behavior during the preweaning period

per calf). Group-housed calves presented more active behaviors (feeding and playing) and less stress-related behaviors (self-grooming and interacting with the pen) than individually housed calves. The behavioral tests most used were novel object, human approach, novel environment, and social tests. Individually housed calves presented fewer vocalizations on these tests and spent more time interacting with humans during the human approach test than group-housed calves. Our findings provide consistent evidence that group housing improves the welfare of dairy calves; however, the effects on health parameters are still scarce and unclear.