Blood Studies and Performance Among Calves Reared by Different Methods

Abstract

Three methods of feeding calves were compared as follows: 1) milk replacer only with restricted movement, 2) milk replacer only with freedom of movement, and 3) hay, grain, and water with freedom of movement. No significant differences were noted for variables of acid-base balance (sampled while resting). An Fe deficiency, microcytic, hypochromic anemia, developed in the calves receiving milk replacer only. Average daily gain, carcass grade, and sale price were superior for calves receiving only milk replacer with freedom of movement as compared with those with restricted movement. A fourth method (calves nursing cows), represented by calves having a different origin, was compared as a supplemental group. Absolute numbers for lymphocyte and neutrophils were significantly higher for calves nursing cows than for calves reared by the other methods.

Values of Blood Variables in Calves

“…In growing calves feeding and rearing system has an important influence on the values of haematological variables (Reece & Hotchkiss, 1987;Scheidegger, 1973). Influence of feeding regime becomes more apparent after the 5 th week when consummation of dry food (hay, starter) increases.…”

“…In older studies the blood cells were counted manually with Neubauer chambers, PCV values were estimated with centrifugation in microhaematocrit tubes, and Hb concentration was measured photometrical (Greatorex, 1954;Hanschke & Schulz, 1982). In later studies the blood cell numbers were counted with automated counters from different producers, PCV value was still estimated by microhaematocrit method (Scheidegger, 1973;Terosky, 1997;Steinhardt & Thielscher, 2000a;Steinhardt & Thielscher, 2000b;Reece & Hotchkiss, 1987). In most of recent researches, which were published in last years the haematological variables were measured with various automated counters (Egli & Blum, 1998;Muri et al, 2005;Knowles et al, 2000;Klinkon et al, 2000;Mohri et al, 2007, Heidarpour Bami et al, 2008.…”

“…In calves which received starter and hay in addition to milk replacer the iron concentration increased to the 3 rd week of age later it slightly oscillated but it did not decrease to the age of 13 weeks. In calves fed exclusively with milk replacer the iron concentration decreased after 2 nd week of age and at the age of 14 weeks it was only 4 μmol/L (Reece & Hotchkiss, 1987;Scheidegger, 1973). In the calves fed only with milk replacer the iron concentration decreased from birth to the 10 th week when it was 5.19 ± 4.29 μmol/L, later it increased slightly, but the lowest concentration was established at the age of 22 weeks when it was only 1.79 ± 1.43 μmol/L (Jazbec et al, 1975).…”

Veal Calves, an Alternative System to Increase the Profitability of Dairy Sectors. Feasibility Study

“…Moreover, countries such as the United States overtly disagree with confinement rearing systems. Studies have demonstrated that this kind of system alters calves' behavior, causing psychological and physical damage (Reece & Hotchkiss, 1987).…”

Wachstum und Entwicklungsqualität von Milchrindkälbern in Gruppenhaltung mit Tränkeautomatenfütterung. Physiologische Variablen und deren Änderungen in spezifischen Altersperioden

“…Für die Festlegung von Grenzwerten physiologischer Variablen in Verbindung mit tiergerechten Haltungsbedingungen und für einen Vergleich von Haltungsvarianten ist es von Interesse, welche auf das Lebensalter und die Entwicklungsqualität bezogenen Anpassungsvorgänge bei den Kälbern vorkommen können und wie diese durch Haltungsvarianten beeinflußt werden. Verfolgsuntersuchungen an Kälbern unterschiedlichen genetischen Materials während der ersten Lebenswochen sind an kleinen Tiergruppen vorgenommen (ABOUZITE et al, 1997;BOSTEDT und SCHRAMEL, 1982;GREATOREX, 1954;GUSTIN et al, 1997;MIYATA et al, 1984;OLTNER und BERGLUND, 1982;SCHLERKA, 1998;TENNANT et al, 1974), mittlere Änderungen von Variablen nachgewiesen und Einflüsse des genetischen Materials sowie von Haltungsvarianten aufgezeigt worden (REECE und HOTCHKISS, 1987). In einem Untersuchungsansatz, bei dem die Gruppenhaltung mit Tränkeautomatenfütterung mit einem Alter der Kälber von 14 Tagen begonnen wurde, sind Kälber im Beginn und am Ende der Gruppenaufzucht untersucht worden (STEINHARDT et al, 1997).…”