The performance of crossbred dairy calves given different levels of whole milk and weaned at different ages

Abstract

AbstractForty-five Friesian × zebu crossbred calves (4 days old) were used to evaluate the effect of feeding different levels of whole milk and weaning at different ages. A total of 252 I whole milk offered over 12 weeks was compared with a feeding level of 134 I milk offered over 8 weeks. Water given ad libitum was also compared with allowing access to water once daily. The calves were penned and fed individually. The average daily gain of the calves weaned at 12 weeks was 464 g compared with 378 g for the calves weaned at 8 weeks of age and allowed access to water once daily and 422 g for the calves weaned at 8 weeks and given water a d libitum. Feeding extra milk and weaning at 12 weeks decreased the intake of concentrates and significantly (P < 0·05) increased live-weight gain. Allowing ad libitum access to water was associated with an increase in concentrate intake but this was not reflected in a significant increase in animal performance.