The Effects of Restricted and Ad Libitum Milk Feeding on Growth and Health of Calves

Öz

In recent years, there has been a growing concern among consumers regarding animal welfare and their requirements, leading to an increased interest in exploring new approaches to calf rearing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of milk feeding levels on the growth, feed intake, and blood variables of group-raised calves during the suckling period. Ten Holstein calves, 5 in each group, were used in the study when they were five years old. The calves were acclimated to an automated feeder during the initial 19 days of the experiment, and their initial LWs were recorded after weighing them again. The study concluded upon weaning the calves when they were sixty years old, with a total duration of 36 days The calves in the first group (G1) were provided with a total of 4 L/day of milk replacer, divided into 2 L servings in the morning and evening. Conversely, calves in the second group (G2) were allowed a maximum intake of 12 L/day of milk replacer, mimicking the natural sucking behaviour, with feedings in the morning (05:00-08:00), midday (10:00-13:00), and evening (16:00-20:00). Despite no significant differences in the LW, total and daily LW gains, and body measurements averages between of the groups, calves in G1 consumed more starter feed compared to those in G2 (P<0.05). There was a non-significant improvement in feed efficiency in favor of calves in G2. Additionally, significant increases were noted in serum glucose concentrations among the biochemical variables in G2 (P<0.05). Furthermore, hematological blood variables, including haemoglobin, haematocrit, and erythrocyte values, tended to increase in calves in G2. However, there was no significant effect of milk feeding levels observed on oxidative stress, antioxidative defense mechanisms and immune response. In conclusion, the results from this study suggest that the amount of milk feeding does not exert a significant effect on the growth and health of the calves during the milk-feeding period.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Calves
• Growth
• Health
• Milk feeding amount

Sınırlı ve Serbest Süt İçirmenin Buzağıların Gelişimi ve Sağlığı Üzerine Etkisi

Öz

Son yıllarda, hayvan refahı ve hayvan gereksinimleri ile ilgili tüketicilerdeki endişeler, buzağı yetiştirmenin yeni yollarını bulma arzusunu arttırmıştır. Bu nedenle çalışmanın amacı, süt içirme miktarının grup halinde yetiştirilen buzağıların süt içme dönemindeki büyüme, yem tüketimi ve kan değişkenleri üzerindeki etkilerinin incelenmesidir. Çalışmada 5 günlük yaşta 10 Holstein buzağı (her grupta 5 buzağı) kullanılmıştır. Denemenin ilk 19 gününde buzağılar otomatik yemleme robotuna alıştırılmıştır. Buzağılar tekrar tartılarak deneme başı canlı ağırlıkları belirlenmiştir. Buzağılar 60 günlük yaşta sütten kesilmişler ve deneme sonlandırılmıştır. Deneme toplam 36 gün sürmüştür. Birinci grupta bulunan (G1) buzağıların, sabah 2 L ve akşam 2 L olmak üzere toplam 4 L/gün süt ikame yemi tüketmelerine müsaade edilmiştir. İkinci grupta bulunan (G2) buzağıların ise doğal emzirme davranışı olan sabah (05:00-08:00), öğlen (10.00-13:00) ve akşam (16:00-20:00) olmak üzere azami 12 L/gün süt ikame yemi tüketmelerine müsaade edilmiştir. Grupların canlı ağırlıkları, toplam ve günlük canlı ağırlık artışları ve vücut ölçüleri ortalamaları arasında önemli farklılık bulunamamıştır. Ancak G1’de bulunan buzağıların, G2’de bulunan buzağılara nazaran daha fazla buzağı başlangıç yemi tükettikleri belirlenmiştir (P<0.05). Yemden yararlanma oranında G2’de bulunan buzağıların lehine önemli olmayan bir iyileşme elde edilmiştir. Biyokimya kan değişkenlerinden serum glikoz konsantrasyonlarında G2’de bulunan buzağılarda önemli artış elde edilmiştir (P<0.05). Hematolojik kan değişkenlerinden Hemoglobin, hematokrit, ve eritrosit değerleri G2’de bulunan buzağılarda artma eğilimi göstermiştir. Ancak, oksidatif stres, antioksidatif savunma mekanizması ve bağışıklık sistemi üzerine süt içirme miktarının önemli bir etkisi gözlenmemiştir. Çalışmada elde edilen sonuçlar, süt içirme miktarının buzağıların süt içme dönemindeki gelişimleri ve sağlıkları üzerine önemli etkisinin olmadığını göstermiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Buzağı
• Gelişim
• Sağlık
• Süt içirme miktarı

Kaynakça

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