A note on the relationships between solid food intake, the volume of the abdominal organs, and external body measurements in calves

Abstract

SUMMARYRegression equations derived from Jersey calves fed on either chopped or ground and pelleted dried grass indicated that the volume of the organs of the abdomen or abdomen plus thorax could be predicted from simple external body measurements. The prediction equations did not differ significantly between diets. It is suggested that this measurement may be of importance in studies on the voluntary food intake of ruminants.