Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances
ISSN: Online 1993-601XISSN: Print 1680-5593
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Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the differences between two milk allowance methods based on 10% of birth weight or 10% of weekly adjusted live weight of dairy calves in respect to growth performance. Twenty Holstein Friesian calves (14 males, 6 females) were allocated into two different milk feeding schedules, one was based on 10% of birth weight (IBW, n = 10) and another was 10% of live weight which was determined on weekly basis (ABW, n = 10), for feeding whole milk during the rearing period. Each calf was monitored seven times in a day and these observations were made twice a week for a period of 1 h starting at 06.00, 08.00, 12.00, 14.00, 18.00, 20.00 and 22.00 h in 10 min intervals for determining behavioural responses. ABW showed less eating calf starter behaviour (9.66% vs 14.17%), eating hay behaviour (8.04% vs 11.62%), drinking water (2.07% vs 3.92%) and ruminating behaviour (15.55% vs 20.08%) than IBW calves (p< 0.01). ABW calves showed the higher rate of lying (17.39% vs 13.20%), standing (15.31% vs 13.22%), restlessness (13.71% vs 6.18%) and licking contact (5.81% vs 2.09%) than IBW calves, except playing (12.46% vs 15.52%) (p< 0.01). To conclude, weekly increased milk allowance decreased nutritional behaviours which may lead to delay in ruminal development, increased restlessness behaviour which susceptible to poorer welfare in dairy calves.
How to cite this article:
Ibrahim Tapki . Comparison of two conventional restricted daily milk allowance methods in dairy calf rearing with respect to growth and behavioural responses II. Behavioural responses.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/javaa.2007.421.426
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1680-5593/javaa.2007.421.426