Early weaning of calves. II. Calf starters with and without hay

Abstract

Thirty six Holstein male calves were used in a randomized block design, with a 2x3 factorial arrangement for treatments concerning calf starts with 25% included hay and calf startes without hay, each one with three levels of digestible protein (12%, 15% and 18%). The experimental period was from 14 to 91 days old, with weaning age at 56 days. The performance of calves was similar in weight gains at all treatments. It was concluded that to give hay included in calf starters increases total hay consumption but declines the intake of ad libitum hay.