Dry Period Length in Dairy Cattle: II. Influence on Calf Survival and Growth Performance

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dry period length (DPL) on survival rate, gender, growth performance, mortality of Holstein calves. Data belonged to 800 Holstein cows in different parities (2nd, 3rd and ≥4th) and 800 calves delivered by these cows. DPL were classified in 5 categories (≤40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, ≥71 days). Calves were weighed and body dimensions (body length, wither height, hearth girth) at birth and 6th months of age. There were significant relationships between DPL and calf gender (P