Resting Behaviour, Growth and Diarrhoea Incidence Rate of Young Dairy Calves Housed Individually or in Groups in Warm or Cold Buildings
Titel:
Resting Behaviour, Growth and Diarrhoea Incidence Rate of Young Dairy Calves Housed Individually or in Groups in Warm or Cold Buildings
Auteur:
Hanninen, L. Hepola, H. Rushen, J. de Passille, A. M. Pursiainen, P. Tuure, V. -m. Syrjala-qvist, L. Pyykkonen, M. Saloniemi, H.
Verschenen in:
Acta agriculturae Scandinavica. Section A, Animal science
Paginering:
Jaargang 53 (2003) nr. 1 pagina's 21-28
Jaar:
2003-03
Inhoud:
The influence of housing and age on the resting, growth and diarrhoea incidence rate was studied by housing male dairy calves for 7 weeks individually (INDIV) or 12 weeks in groups of four; indoors (INGROUP) or outdoors either with (OUTWARM) or without a heated shelter (OUTCOLD). The preweaning (1-7 wk) diarrhoea incidence rates were lower for INGROUP than for INDIV or OUTCOLD. The postweaning growth (8-12 wk) was higher for INGROUP than for OUTCOLD or OUTWARM. The OUTWARM and OUTCOLD calves rested less on their side than the INGROUP calves and more with the neck relaxed. Individual pens did not decrease REM-type sleep, but this decreased overall as the calves aged. In conclusion, the young dairy calves reduced their body area when they were exposed to low temperatures. No clear advantage was found in offering a heated shelter, but a cold environment could be a potential health hazard for calves.