A study was conducted to evaluate effects of housing and feeding systems on performance of neo-natal Holstein bull calves. Treatments included individually housed, bottle-fed (n = 5 calves), individually housed, bucket-fed (n = 5 calves), group housed bottle fed (n = 5 pens) and group housed bucket fed (n = 5 pens). Body weights were collected every 7 days and serum and plasma samples were taken on day 0, 28, 55 and 66 for beta-Hydroxybutyrate concentrations. No major differences (P > 0.11) in performance (average daily gain, dry matter intake, and feed efficiency) or β-Hydroxybutyrate (P > 0.14) concentrations were observed between housing and feeding treatments. Likewise, no differences (P > 0.26) were observed in the coefficient of variation for BW or fecal scores or morbidity. Albeit performance wasn’t altered, group housing provides a social environment and bucket feeding lowers the variation of intake amongst the group.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/193417 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Bernal-Rigoli, Julie Christina |
| Contributors | Duff, Glenn, Duff, Glenn, Marchello, John, Cuneo, Peder |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Electronic Thesis |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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