Studies in the Growth and Nutrition of Dairy Calves: VII. The Use of the Self-Feeder with Young Dairy Calves

Abstract

Summary This work is too limited in scope to allow of the making of definite recommendations but a few points of interest stand out clearly: 1. Young calves prefer whole corn and oats to the ground grains. 2. Hominy feed does not appear to be palatable to calves. 3. Linseed oil meal (O.P.) appears to be more palatable than wheat bran, while corn gluten feed is not in favor with calves. 4. Calves have the ability to vary their consumption of concentrates to comply with their needs. For example, when whole milk is replaced by skim milk the calves increase their relative consumption of low protein concentrate feeds such as corn and oats. 5. The calves used in this work consumed a ration of much narrower nutritive ratio than is generally recommended. 6. The calves maintained the nutritive ratio of their ration fairly constant though it became slightly wider as the calves advanced in age. 7. The consumption of hay increased materially as the calves became older. 8. Salt and charcoal were evidently desired by the calves. 9. Water is important, even for calves fed milk.