Feed Intake and Performance in Calves Fed ad Libitum and Four Times Daily

Abstract

Colostrum and milk replacer consumption was studied in Holstein and Hereford neonate calves. Average daily colostrum consumption during their first three days of life ranged from 9.0 to 21.7% of birth weight for the Holsteins and 4.9 to 16.4% for the Herefords. Average daily body weight gains ranged from 1.8 to 5.0% of birth weight for the Holsteins and 1.7 to 3.6% for the Herefords. An average of one kilogram of gain was produced from 4.56 kg of colostrum for the Holsteins and 7.16 kg for the Herefords. From three to 41 days of age, Holstein and Hereford calves were fed ad libitum on milk replacer rations containing 6.5 or 19.5% total solids using automatic calf feeders. Two additional groups of Holstein calves were fed either the 6.5 or 19.5% total solids ration to appetite at sis-hour intervals. Milk replacer consumption, body weight gain, consumption as percent body weight, and gain as percent of body weight were significantly different (P < 0.05) between treatments. Nutritional regime did not affect dry matter required per kilogram of gain. There were no breed differences (P > 0.05) in digestive tract weight measurements. © 1969, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.