Using dry feed intake as a percentage of initial body weight as a weaning criterion.
Newborn Holstein heifers (n = 32) and bulls (n = 12) were used to investigate the use of dry feed intake as a percentage of birth weight as a weaning criterion. Three different percentages (1, 1.5, and 2%) were used. Calves in the 1% treatment group met the weaning criterion earlier than did those in the 1.5 and 2% treatment groups; no difference was detected between the latter two groups. Total dry feed intake at 8 wk was higher for calves in the 1% treatment group than for calves in the other treatment groups; no difference was detected between the 1.5 and 2% treatment groups. Weights for all calves at 8 wk and weights of heifer calves at 12, 16, and 20 wk were not different among groups. Using dry feed intake at 1% of birth weight as a weaning criterion reduced days to weaning, increased dry feed intake from birth to 8 wk, decreased variation in weaning age, and had no apparent negative effect on growth at 20 wk of age. Using dry feed intake as a percentage of birth weight appears to be a suitable criterion to determine when to wean dairy calves.
Greenwood
R H
RH
Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506, USA.
Morrill
J L
JL
Titgemeyer
E C
EC
D000375:Aging; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain