Effects of the Method of Calf Starter Delivery and Effects of Weaning Age On Starter Intake and Growth of Holstein Calves Fed Milk Once Daily

Abstract

Fifty-six Holstein calves were assigned randomly at birth to one of four treatments in a study that evaluated two methods of calf starter delivery (specially designed nipple bottle versus an open container) and weaning age (28 vs. 56 d) on starter intake and growth. Calves were fed 3.8L of whole milk once daily through nipple bottles until weaning. A pelleted commercial calf starter mix (18.3% crude protein and 19.9% acid detergent fiber) was fed from birth through 56 d. Calves fed starter using the nipple bottle were changed to an open container at weaning. Calves were fed a total mixed diet containing 13.0% crude protein and 25.6% acid detergent fiber from d 57 through 180 for ad libitum intake through a self-feeder. Calves that were weaned at 28 d consumed more calf starter from d 28 to 56 regardless of the method of starter delivery. At 90 d of age, calves that had been weaned at 28 d had similar body weights (BW) and wither heights as did calves that had been weaned at 56 d. Either method of calf starter delivery resulted in similar overall BW, wither height, and average daily gain. Feeding 3.8L of milk once daily, weaning at 28 d, the use of either method of starter delivery, and feeding a total mixed diet from d 57 through 180 allowed calves to attain BW that exceeded acceptable reported means at 6 mo of age.