Hemato‐biochemical changes, disease incidence and live weight gain in individual versus group reared calves fed on different levels of milk and skim milk

Abstract

A 2 x 3 factorial design was used to study the impact of rearing systems, individual (I) versus group (G) and different levels of milk/skim milk feeding (F1, F2 and F3) on hemato-biochemical profile, disease incidence and average daily gain of crossbred (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) calves. Six calves were taken in each group on the basis of their birth weight and housed in individual (2.20 x 1.16 m(2)/calf) or in group pens (2.20 x 1.03 m(2)/calf). After 3 days of colostrum feeding, calves were allocated to one of three different milk feeding schedules: milk fed up to 8 weeks of age (F1), milk up to 4 weeks followed by 50% replacement by skim milk up to 6 weeks and 100% thereafter (F2) and 100% replacement of milk with skim milk after 4 weeks (F3). Calf starter and cereal green fodders were fed ad libitum from the second week of age and continued for 14 weeks. Parameters on health and disease profiles of calves (disease incidence, duration of illness, response to treatment and recovery) and weekly live weight change were recorded. Calf scour predominated (52.8%), followed by joint ill (25.0%) and respiratory infections (19.4%). The disease incidence was greater (P < 0.01) in individually housed calves (94.4 vs. 55.9%). The management of navel ill required longer recovery (7.01 days) followed by joint ill (4.87 days) and respiratory infection (4.86 days). The average daily gain during 0-14 weeks of age was higher (P < 0.01) in group-housed calves (433 +/- 22 vs. 355 +/- 31 g), while the effect of feeding was not significant. Blood samples collected at 4, 8 and 14 weeks of age showed some periodic higher concentrations (but within normal range) of plasma urea and total protein in group housed calves on F2 and F3 feeding schedules in response to high protein intake. Other parameters remained non-significantly different. Thus, group-housed calves can be reared successfully with comparatively better performance and less illness than individually housed ones under the present health care and housing management system. However, the system should not be used as a substitute for good management, and frequent observations of calves should be an integral part of any successful rearing program.

The effect of age at separation from the dam and presence of social companions on play behavior and weight gain in dairy calves

“…Some previous studies also found higher weight gain in grouped calves (Warnick et al, 1977;Babu et al, 2004;Babu et al, 2009), but others did not (Broom and Leaver, 1978;Purcell and Arave, 1991;Hänninen et al, 2003;Phillips, 2004). Most published studies on paired calves did not show a weight advantage over single-housed calves (Chua et al, 2002;De Paula Vieira et al, 2010;.…”

“…Also, the failure of some of the studies to find significant differences may be due to small sample sizes in relation to the large interindividual variability. We checked 12 studies that provided the average BW of the grouped or paired versus individually housed calves (Warnick et al, 1977;Broom and Leaver, 1978;Purcell and Arave, 1991;Chua et al, 2002;Hänninen et al, 2003;Babu et al, 2004;Phillips, 2004;Babu et al, 2009;De Paula Vieira et al, 2010;Jensen et al, 2015). In 11 of the 12 studies (all except Phillips, 2004), the overall average BW of grouped or paired calves were higher numerically.…”

“…Both staying with the mother or group housing can also enhance calf BW (Warnick et al, 1977;Flower and Weary, 2001;Tapki, 2007;Babu et al, 2009), although some studies failed to find this effect (Hänninen et al, 2003;Phillips, 2004). Also, it remains unclear for how long the weight advantage of mother-reared or group-housed calves lasts.…”

Effects of Pair Versus Individual Housing on Performance, Health, and Behavior of Dairy Calves

“…Furthermore, respiratory diseases and diarrhea were reported to occur more frequently in group-housed veal calves [8]. On the contrary, Babu et al [9] reported that rearing calves in a group resulted in a lower disease incidence. In other cases, health outcomes were similar between different housing systems [10].…”

Effects of different feeding methods and space allowance on the growth performance, individual and social behaviors of Holstein calves

“…Inconsistent results were reported in previous research in which de Paula Vieira et al (2012) found no significant difference in the weight gain for calves between paired and single-housed calves. Babu et al (2009) observed a higher weight gain in grouped calves compared with calves kept individually. Our results agreed with several published studies, suggesting that paired calves do not show a weight advantage over single-housed calves (Chua et al 2002;de Paula Vieira et al 2010;Duve and Jensen 2012).…”