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Effects of Alternative Housing and Feeding Systems on the Behavior and Performance of Dairy Heifer Calves

Pempek, Jessica Ann
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1313550358

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Animal Sciences.
Most heifer calves in the dairy industry are housed individually prior to weaning. However, this type of housing limits the calves’ ability to display social behavior, which may impede development of normal social responses. Individual housing is often preferred to minimize undesirable behaviors such as cross-sucking. Previous studies have indicated that if calves are fed with a bottle instead of a bucket, these undesirable behaviors may be reduced. The present study investigated the effects of alternative housing and feeding systems on the behavior and performance of dairy calves. Eighty-two female Holstein calves were allocated to treatments at 6 ± 3 d of age and monitored for approximately 9 wk. Treatments were as follows: individual housing fed with a bucket, individual housing fed with a bottle, paired housing fed with a bucket, or paired housing fed with a bottle. Two experimental sites were utilized. Calves were housed in hutches (non-tethered, wire pen in front of hutch) at Site 1 (n=34) and in wire-panel pens (single or double) in a feed commodity shed at Site 2 (n=48). Calves allocated to the individual housing treatment were housed in a single hutch at Site 1, whereas calves assigned to the paired treatment were housed by joining two adjacent hutches with doubling of the pen size. Milk was fed via bucket or bottle twice per day (6 L/d). Calves had ad libitum access to calf-starter and water. Gradual weaning commenced at wk 6 by reducing the calves’ milk allowance by 2 L/wk. Calves were weaned at the beginning of wk 8. Grain consumption and body weight were monitored on a weekly basis and wither height measured at the beginning and end of the experiment. Live behavior observations were conducted once per week for all calves at Site 1 and video recorded every other week for all calves at Site 2; behavior measures took place for 2 h both in the morning and afternoon. Total DM intake (grain and milk solids) was greater for calves housed in pairs compared to those housed individually (1.76 ± 0.03 versus 1.69 ± 0.03; P = 0.04). Although not significant, average daily gain (ADG) was numerically higher for Site 1 compared to Site 2 (0.71± 0.03 versus 0.64 ± 0.02 kg/d; P = 0.12). Calves were noticeably more active around the morning milk feeding, and calves fed with a bottle spent significantly more time ingesting milk than calves fed with a bucket. Individually housed calves spent more time engaged in non-nutritive oral behavior. Cross-sucking behavior results differed by site; this behavior was observed to be reduced in calves fed with a bottle at Site 1, and no difference between feeding treatments was observed at Site 2. Bottles were typically removed shortly after the calves were finished drinking their milk, which may have contributed to the occurrence of cross-sucking behavior in this study. Thus, this experiment provides evidence that housing young heifer calves in pairs allows for social interactions and may enhance feed intake due to social facilitation.
Maurice L. Eastridge, PhD (Advisor)
Naomi A. Botheras, PhD (Committee Member)
Candace C. Croney, PhD (Committee Member)
83 p.
Animal Sciences; Welfare
Dairy calves; housing method; feeding method; behavior

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pempek, J. A. (2011). Effects of Alternative Housing and Feeding Systems on the Behavior and Performance of Dairy Heifer Calves [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1313550358

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pempek, Jessica. Effects of Alternative Housing and Feeding Systems on the Behavior and Performance of Dairy Heifer Calves. 2011. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1313550358.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pempek, Jessica. "Effects of Alternative Housing and Feeding Systems on the Behavior and Performance of Dairy Heifer Calves." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1313550358

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.