Influence of Feeding Milk Replacer Once Versus Twice Daily on Growth, Organ Measurements, and Mineral Content of Tissues

Abstract

During the 39-day milk feeding, 50 calves representing five dairy breeds were fed milk replacer either once or twice daily to determine effects on growth, feed efficiency, health, organ measurements, mineral content of tissues, and labor required. Average daily gain from birth to 6 wk and 6 to 12 wk for calves fed once daily was .29 and .52 kg compared to .28 and .61 kg for those fed twice daily. At 6 wk of age, the weight gain per kilogram of metabolic size at birth was .80 and .93 kg for calves fed once and twice daily. For 4 through 42 days of age, the average daily consumption of calf starter, roughage pellet, supplemental water, and total water consumption (supplemental water plus water in the reconstituted milk replacer) for calves fed once daily was .12, .28, 1.95, and 3.26; and for twice daily fed calves .13, .22, .96, and 3.57. Calves fed once daily consumed 2.27 kg dry matter per kilogram gained compared to 2.04 kg for calves fed twice daily. No treatment or breed interactions were significant for growth, health, feed efficiency, total water consumption, organ measurements, and mineral content of tissues. Calves fed once daily required 39% less labor in milk feeding than calves fed twice daily. © 1976, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.