Growth and Survival of Holstein and Brown Swiss Calves Reared Outdoors in Individual Hutches |
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Authors: | Ertugrul O Alpan O Unal N Azeroglu F |
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Institution: | (1) Veterinary Faculty, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey;(2) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan;(3) Karacabey Tarim Isletmesi, Bursa, Turkey |
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Abstract: | The effects of outdoor raising of Brown Swiss and Holstein replacement calves in individual hutches were studied on a farm having northern Mediterranean climatic conditions. A total of 240 female calves was used with 30 calves of each breed and born in each of the four seasons. The animals were kept for 3 months in individual hutches and then in groups of 10 until 6 months of age. The birth weights of the Brown Swiss and Holstein calves were 37.2±0.21 and 37.9±0.22, respectively. The average birth weights were highest in spring and lowest in winter. Breed and seasonal effects were evident at 6 months. The live weights for the two breeds at 6 months were 114.1±1.3 and 126.3±1.5 kg, respectively. The numbers of health disorders were significantly higher in the first month of life. Mortalities occurred in the following months, being 2.5% in Holsteins and 5% in Brown Swiss by 6 months of age. The results indicated that calves can be reared outdoors successfully. |
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Keywords: | breed calves climate live weight management mortality outdoor rearing |
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