Nipple versus Pail Feeding of Milk to Holstein Calves

Abstract

Summary Forty-eight male Holstein calves were employed in a comparison of methods of feeding milk. Methods studied were: open pail placed on floor, open pail elevated 10 in. off the floor, nipple pail, and nipple bottle. Calves were fed milk to 6 weeks of age. In one of three trials, pail-fed calves exhibited superior growth when compared to nipple-fed calves. This difference was not substantiated in the other two trials. Pail-fed calves consumed their milk more quickly than did those nipple-fed, and there was no difference in incidence of scours between pailand nipple-fed calves.