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Some factors affecting the productive performance of suckling Friesian calves
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Abstract: One hundred and seventy five newly born male and female Friesian calves were used to study the effect of roughage type, calving season, birth weight and sex on productive performance of suckling calves. The results obtained showed that the digestion coefficients of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) and subsequently total digestible nutrients (TDN) and digestible crude protein (DCP) values were significantly higher (P<0.05), while crude fiber (CF) digestion was significantly lower (P<005) for ration contained fresh berseem compared to ration contained berseem hay The highest (P<0.05) body weight at weaning, total and daily weight gain, intake of TDN and DCP, feed and economic efficiency and lowest mortality rate were recorded with calves fed fresh berseem ration (G I) compared with those begin with fresh berseem and complete on berseem hay ration (G2), berseem hay ration (G3) or begin with berseem hay and complete on fresh berseem ration (G4) Calves born in winter season recorded the highest (P<0.05) weight at weaning, total and daily weight gain, mortality rate, intake of DM, TDN and DCP and feed and economic efficiency, while the lowest weight at weaning, total and daily weight gain, feed and economic efficiency were with born in autumn. Calves with birth weight < 41 kg had the least suckling period and the highest weaning weight and calves with birth weight of > 25 kg had the highest total and daily weight gain, feed and economic efficiency. Calves with birth weight of 26-30 kg recorded the least mortality rate and the highest intakes of DM, TDN and DCP. The amounts of DM, TDN and DCP required to produce one kg gain increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing birth weight up to 31-35 kg and decreased afterwards Body weight at birth, week 5, week 10 and weaning and mortality rate were significantly higher (P<0.05) for the male compared with the female Friesian calves. However, the differences in totally and daily weight gain, feed intake, feed and economic efficiency between male and female suckling Friesian calves were not significant. It could be concluded that Friesian calves born throughout the winter season in the presence of fresh berseem recorded the higher growth rate and better feed and economic efficiency. It is very important to avoid exposed of suckling calves to environmental temperature during summer season and supplied with high quality green forage and the importance of adequate feeding of pregnant cows especially during the late period of gestation.
Key words: Suckling Friesian Calves, Roughage, Season, Birth Weight, Body Weight, Economic Efficiency.
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| Publication year |
2004
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| Pages |
273-286
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| Availability location |
معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى- الجيزة
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| Availability number |
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| Organization Name |
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| serial title |
Egyptian Journal Basic and Applied Physiology
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| Author(s) from ARC |
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| Agris Categories |
Animal physiology - Nutrition
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AGROVOC
TERMS |
Birth weight.
Body weight.
Economic analysis.
Roughage.
Seasons.
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| Proposed Agrovoc |
Suckling Friesian Calves;
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| Publication Type |
Journal
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