UN SDG
Livestock Studies 1977, Vol 17, Num, 3-4     (Pages: 061-082)
Abstract Full Text:PDF Recommended articles How to Cite

A Comparison of growth and fertility performance of Karacabey Brown female calves after weaning with different quantities of milk

Rafet ARPACIK ,Hayati YOSUNKAYA ,Murat ERTURAN

- The purpose of this experiment was to compare the growth and fertility performance of Karacabey Brown female calves after weaning with different quantities of milk. The 40 calves were allocated in to four groups and aech group consisted of ten animals. Groups I, II, III and IV. Were fed 100, 175, 250 and 650 kg (350 kg whole milk + 300 kg skim milk) of milk. The first three groups of calves (experimental) were fed with a concentrate diet (76.2 % TDN) after weaning to four months of age. Body weights and two body measurements (height at withers and chest grith) were recorded weekly.

The average body weights of the experimental groups and control (group IV) at 4 months of age were 116.7, 119.1, 118.5 and 122.3 kg respectively. From birth to 4 months of age the daily live-weight gains of the groups were 0.600, 0.695, 0.689 and 0.730 kg respectively. The differences were not significant.

At the end of 4 months of age, all groups of animals were fed and managed under the same conditions. The average body weights in the groups I, II, III and IV were 133.6, 139.9, 139.4 and 141.2 kg at 6 months of age respectively. From 4 to 6 months of age, the daily live-weight gains of the groups were 0.282, 0.347, 0.348 and 0.315 kg., respectively and differences were not significant. Average body weights of groups at 12 months of age were 175.8, 181.3, 182.2 and 184.0 kg respectively. From 6 to 12 months of age the daily live-weight gains of the groups were 0.234, 0.230, 0.238 and 0.238 kg respectively. The differences being non significant. The average body weight in the groups I, II, III and IV were 259.7, 254.4, 255.1 and 261.2 kg at 18 months of age respectively. From 12 to 18 months of age the daily live-weight gain of the groups were 0.466, 0.406, 0.405 and 0.429 kg respectively. The differences were not significant.

Growth rates of height at withers and chest grith were also examined in each of the four successive periods; namely, birth -4th. 4-6 th, 6-12 th and 12-18 th months. No significant differences were found among groups for the growth rates of body measurements.

The mean consumption of TDN in the groups I, II, III and IV were 183.7, 182.5, 179.3 and 186.7 kg per calf from birth to 4 months of age respectively. During this period, cost of per kg weight gain in the groups I, II, III and IV was 12.35, 15.68, 19.77 and 33.88 TL., respectively. None of the experimental calves had bloat or indigestion.

All animals were inseminated artificially after the age of 24 months. The mean insemination numbers per conception in the groups I, II, III and IV were 1.55, 1.11, 1.50 and 1.77 respectively. These values were not significantly different. Keywords :