Effects of Once-A-Day Feeding of Milk Replacer on Body Weight Gain of Dairy Calves

Abstract

Fifty-one Holstein and Ayrshire calves were used to determine the effects of once-a-day feeding of milk replacer on gain in dairy calves. All calves received colostrum twice daily for the first three days of their life. At three days of age, calves were assigned to once-a-day or twice-a-day feeding of milk replacer, mixed one part replacer to four parts water for once-a-day calves and one part replacer to nine parts water for twice-a-day calves. Ayrshire calves were fed milk replacer at the rate of 364g dry milk replacer per day from 4 to 14 days of age and 454g per day from 15 days to weaning; Holstein calves were fed at the rate of 454g per day from 4 to 14 days and 544g per day thereafter. Female calves were weaned at 42 days of age and male calves at 84 days of age. Water, concentrate mixture, and hay were offered free choice at all times. No significant difference was detected in growth rate or health problems between the two feeding regimes.