Comparative Effects of Dam Milk and Milk Replacer on the Conformation Traits and Growth Outcomes of Holstein Friesian Calves

Abstract

Holstein Friesian calves (n=12) were contained at Government breeding and Dairy Farm Nushki, Balochistan for an experimental period of ninety days to compare the calf growth and conformation kept on different feeding systems i.e. Milk replacer vs. mother (Dam) milk. Six calves were given milk replacer and rest of the six was fed dam milk. However, the calves given milk replacer had a greater increase in body length (24.94cm) and weight (21.18kg) than the calves under dam milk during the experimental length. Likewise, calves that were feeding with milk replacer developed to a total average height of 23.20 cm followed by calves fed under dam milk were recorded 15.67 cm. on the other hand; the body width of calves given milk replacer was recorded as 16.22 cm as compare to calves under dam fed i.e. recorded 10.95 cm. Overall it was determined that the milk replace outcomes found elevated followed by calves under dam fed. So therefore, elevated difference in body weight, length, height and width during the experimental length was recorded 5.80 kg, 8.09 cm, 7.53 cm and 5.27 cm respectively. The obtained data found a significant (P<0.05) influence of feeding practices on the growth and body conformation characteristics of Holstein Friesian calves.  However, it is concluded that the use of a milk replacer was more supportive than the use of dam milk in terms of improving the commercial values, conformation and adaptation of the calves.

Keywords: Friesian calves, milk replacer, dam milk, body growth, conformation traits