The Effects of Milk Feeding Frequency on the Growth and Behaviour of the Calves

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to examine the effects of milk feeding frequency on the growth, behaviour and health of calves during the suckling period. The Holstein calves (5 in each group) at the age of 5-day-old were used in the study. Computer controlled feeder (CCF) was used in the study. First group calves were given 4 lt/day of milk replacer feed (G1), in the morning and evening. In the second group (G2), a maximum of 12 lt/day of milk, which is natural suckling behaviour, in the morning (05:00-08:00), midday (10:00-13:00)i evening (16:00-20:00) were allowed to consume substitute feed. The time spent for rumination by both groups was close to each other. Cross-sucking and vocalization behaviour was more common in G1, but decreased with age. Tongue Rolling behaviour was more common in G2, but decreased with age. The results showed that the milk feeding frequency did not have a significant effect on the behavioural patterns of the calves.

Keywords

• Milk feeding frequency
• Growth
• Behaviour
• Health
• Calves

Süt İçirme Sıklığının Buzağıların Davranışları Üzerine Etkileri

Abstract

Yapılan bu çalışmada, süt içme sıklığının süt içme dönemindeki buzağıların davranış özellikleri üzerine etkilerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada 5 günlük yaşta 10 adet (her grupta 5 buzağı) Holstein buzağı kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada bilgisayar kontrollü besleyici (BKB) kullanılmıştır. Birinci grup buzağılara, sabah-akşam olmak üzere 4 lt/gün süt ikame yemi (G1) verilmiştir. İkinci gruba (G2) ise doğal emzirme davranışı olan sabah (05:00-08:00), öğlen (10:00-13:00), akşam (16:00-20:00) olmak üzere azami 12 lt/gün süt ikame yemi tüketmelerine müsaade edilmiştir. Her iki grubun ruminasyon için harcadıkları zaman birbirine yakın olmuştur. Çapraz emme davranışı ve bağırma G1’de fazla görülmüştür ancak yaşla beraber azalma gözlenmiştir. Dil çevirme davranışı G2’de fazlaca görülmüş ancak yaşla beraber azalmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar, süt içme sıklığının buzağıların davranış kalıpları üzerine önemli etkisinin olmadığını göstermiştir.

Keywords

• Süt içme sıklığı
• Gelişim
• Davranış
• Sağlık
• Buzağı

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