1176
The Effects of Feeding Strategy and Housing Management on Intake and Growth Performance of Holstein Calves from Birth through Weaning
Forty-eight Holstein calves with an average birth weight of 42.5 ± 0.4 kg were used in a randomized block design to evaluate feeding strategy and housing management from birth through weaning (wk 8). Calves were fed 675 g of colostrum replacer (≥180 g IgG; The Saskatoon Colostrum Co. Ltd.) within 2 h of birth. Serum total protein averaged 5.6 ± 0.1 g/dL at 2 d of age. Treatments were 1) fixed feeding of milk replacer at 770 g DM/d from birth through 15 d of age and 900 g DM/d thereafter split into 2 feedings with calves housed in individual hutches (FI; n = 16), 2) ad libitum feeding of milk replacer with calves housed in individual hutches (AI; n = 16), and 3) ad libitum feeding of milk replacer with calves housed as a group of 4 in group hutches (AG; n = 16). Milk replacer was 24% CP and 20% fat and fed at 14% solids. Calves received water and a 23% CP starter concentrate ad libitum. Weaning occurred over a 6-d period with FI calves fed 450 g DM/d and AI and AG calves fed 900 g DM/d for 3 d followed by 450 g DM/d for 3 d. Intake was measured daily. Body weight was measured weekly. Data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure of SAS with the experimental unit defined as a group of 4 calves with data expressed on a per calf basis. When calves were individually housed, ad libitum feeding resulted in greater intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency than fixed feeding. Intake and body weight gain were not affected by housing when calves were fed ad libitum. However, the AG calves had a better feed efficiency than AI calves suggesting that there may be benefits to group housing and the social interaction it provides the calves although the mechanism is unclear.
|
Treatment |
|
P-value |
|||
|
FI |
AI |
AG |
SE |
FI vs. AI |
AI vs. AG |
Milk replacer intake, kg DM |
40.6 |
59.7 |
54.8 |
3.4 |
<0.01 |
0.35 |
Starter intake, kg DM |
11.2 |
4.5 |
2.2 |
1.8 |
0.04 |
0.41 |
Total intake, kg DM |
51.7 |
64.2 |
57.0 |
3.5 |
0.05 |
0.20 |
Body weight gain, kg |
28.0 |
39.3 |
40.3 |
3.4 |
0.06 |
0.84 |
Average daily gain, kg |
0.56 |
0.75 |
0.81 |
0.05 |
0.04 |
0.43 |
Gain:Feed |
0.54 |
0.61 |
0.70 |
0.02 |
0.04 |
0.01 |
Keywords:
calves, growth performance, milk replacer