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Cows learn better when they are housed together in a farm, according to a new study. The environment helps them in adjusting faster to complex new feeding and milking technologies on the modern farm, the report noted. 

In the research a concept of "buddy system" has been mentioned which allows dairy calves to be better at learning. The study is first to establish the notion that the standard practice of individually housing calves is associated with certain learning difficulties. 

"Pairing calves seems to change the way these animals are able to process information," said Dan Weary, corresponding author and a professor in UBC's Animal Welfare Program in the press release. "We recommend that farmers use some form of social housing for their calves during the milk feeding period."

"Trouble adjusting to changes in routine and environment can cause problems for farmers and animals."

Weary also added that the switch from an individual pen to a paired one is often as simple as removing a partition.

Normally, farmers often keep calves in individual pens as they believe that this helps in reducing the chances of spreading of the diseases. However, research added that the concern remains unwarranted if cows are housed in the small groups. 

"The risk of one animal getting sick and affecting the others is real when you're talking about large groups, but not with smaller groups like two or three," he added in the press release.

The research involved two cognitive tests for two groups of Holstein calves that were housed in individual pens or in pairs.

"The test suggests that individual rearing can make calves more sensitive to novelty, and thus less able to habituate to changes in their environment," added Prof. Weary. "This could make it more difficult for a farm animal to be trained or to do something as simple as walk down a path and not be overwhelmed by a bright light or a new noise."

The research has been published in the PLOS ONE.