Effect of housing and milk types on behavior, performance and blood parameters in calves.

摘要

Authors describe effect of housing and milk type on behavior, weight gain and blood parameters in calves. Groups of mixed Holstein breed, 3 day old calves each, were housed individually or in pairs and fed whole milk or replacer, and then weaned at 8weeks. Behavioral responses were recorded at 20, 40 and 60 days. Body weight was recorded twice, and dry matter intake once per week. EDTA blood was taken at 30, 45 and 60 days. Calves kept in pairs and fed whole milk gained more weight (P < 0.05) compared with those kept in single housing and fed milk replacer. We found a significant differences between housing and milk type on serum glucose and blood nitrogen urea (BUN) at day 30 and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) at 30, 45 and 60 days (P<0.05). Animals raised in pairs and fed whole milk had lower glucose but higher BUN and BHBA compared with those kept alone and fed replacer. Housing and milk type affected standing at day 20, feeding at days 20 and 40, and licking behaviours at day 60; P<0.05). Results suggest that grouped calves ingest more solid feed and gain more weight, than those reared alone. Feeding with whole milk and grouping in pairs, improved performance in younger calves. Blood glucose, BUN, BHBA were influenced by whole milk and group housing. Declines in blood glucose concentrations and increase in BHBA along with improved performance in calves supplemented with whole milk may reflect an efficient nutrient turnover and a more efficient tissue accretion. In addition, the results showed thewhole milk and house grouping effects of behavior responses in dairy calves. Taken together, we suggest that whole supplementation and grouping in housing may be an efficient method to improve performance and metabolic status of newborn calves.