Early Weaning in Cow and Water Buffalo Calves (Bos Bubalus L). I. Growth Rates, Efficiency of Feed Utilization, and Cost of Unit Gain

Abstract

Three hundred and fourteen cow and buffalo calves were used in these experiments. In the first series, 113 female buffalo calves were purchased from surrounding farms in three successive years. The calves received 90, 103, and 340 kg of whole milk in 31, 45, or 61 days, respectively. A group of these calves (15) was given 340 kg whole milk, each, over a period of 120 days, to serve as controls. The treatment which gave best response was used as control for the next year's experiment. Weaning buffalo calves at 45 days on 103 kg of whole milk and a high energy ration of 74% total digestible nutrients and 13.5% digestible protein gave the best and most economic response. Live weight gains of early weaned calves were not significantly different from calves weaned at 120 days on 340 kg whole milk. The cost of 1 kg live weight produced through early weaning is approximately two-thirds that of the late weaned calves. It is therefore contended that early weaning saved approximately $13 in four months. In Experiment 4, 201 male and female cow and buffalo calves born on the University farm were reared on limited amounts of whole milk. Cow calves were successfully weaned at 31 days on 67 kg of whole milk. Early weaned calves, especially female buffalo calves, showed lower gains at weaning and at subsequent ages up to six months, as compared to late weaned ones. However, all calves reached nearly similar weights at 12 months. It is important to handle early weaned calves individually and employ good management and cleanliness. © 1967, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.