UN SDG
Livestock Studies
2004, Vol 44, Num, 1 (Pages: 017-023)
The effect of feeding milk by open pail and nipple pail on the growth and feed efficiency of Brown Swiss calves
2 Tarım ve Köyisleri Bakanlığı, Doğu Anadolu Tarımsal Araştırma Enstitüsü Müdürlüğü- ERZURUM
3 Atatürk Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi Zootekni Bölümü, Yemler ve Hayvan Besleme Anabilim Dalı- ERZURUM
4 Selçuk Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi Zootekni Bölümü, Hayvan Yetiştirme Anabilim Dalı- KONYA - This study was carried out to compare effects of the feeding milk by open pail and nipple pail on the growth performance and feed efficiency of Brown Swiss calves raised in early weaning programme. Twentyseven newborn Brown Swiss calves (15 male, 12 female) were assigned to open pail and nipple pail treatment groups and fed whole milk for 5 weeks. In the milk feeding period, the amount of milk given to calves was kept constant at 8 % of their birth weight. Statistically significant differences were not found between calves fed milk by open pail or nipple pail concerning weaning weight (44.1±1.9 kg ve 46.4±1.4 kg) and weight at 6 months of age (136.0±3.5 ve 142.8±2.6 kg). Total weight gains from birth to weaning and from birth to 6 months of age as well as feed efficiency were not significantly affected by methods of feeding milk. In a period between birth and 6 months of age, the methods of milk feeding did not have significant influence on gains of body measurements such as body length, height at withers, chest depth, heart girth and circumference of cannon bone.
Results of this study indicated that feeding milk by open pail compared to nipple pail did not result in significant difference. It could be concluded that open pail which was more economical, could be used in place of nipple pail without causing a detrimental effect on the growth performance and feed efficiency traits of calves in early weaning schedules.
Keywords : Brown Swiss, calf, nipple pail, open pail, feeding milk, growth, feed efficiency