Comparison of double suckling and early weaning systems for the rearing of crossbred dairy calves
1995
Madakadze, I.C. | Chikumba, L.P. (Henderson Research Station, Mazowe (Zimbabwe)
The comparative effects of double suckling and three forms of early weaning calf rearing systems were evaluated using Friesian-Mashona crossed dairy calves. The early wearning systems were based on bucket feeding of 3kg of whole milk per day for 24, 48, or 90 days. Double-sucked cows nursed two alien calves for 90 days. Live weights, concentrate intake and milk intakes were recorded. There was a 16 per cent incidence of diarrhoea in the early weaned calves during the first two weeks of life while no cases were recorded for the suckled calves. Double suckled calves were significantly heavier than early weaned calves after 90 days. The suckled calves also consumed more milk than the amount fed to early weaned calves. The level of milk intake was an important factor in the high growth performance of the sucked calves. It is concluded that double suckling compared with bucket feeding increased calf weight and groth rate.
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