THE WEANING STRESS EFFECT ON CALF BEHAVIOUR AND PERFORMANCES IN ROMANIAN SPOTTED CALVES

Authors

  • Radu Ionel Neamț Research and Development Station for Bovine Breeding Arad, 32 Calea Bodrogului, Postal Code: 310059, Romania University for Life Sciences "Regele Mihai I" Timisoara, Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, 119 Calea Aradului, Postal Code 300645, Romania 3. University “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad, Faculty of Economic Sciences, 77 Revoluției Boulevard, Postal Code 310130, Romania Author
  • Gheorghe Săplăcan Research and Development Station for Bovine Breeding Arad, 32 Calea Bodrogului, Postal Code: 310059, Romania University for Life Sciences "Regele Mihai I" Timisoara, Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, 119 Calea Aradului, Postal Code 300645, Romania 3. University “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad, Faculty of Economic Sciences, 77 Revoluției Boulevard, Postal Code 310130, Romania Author
  • Ciprian Valentin Mihali Research and Development Station for Bovine Breeding Arad, 32 Calea Bodrogului, Postal Code: 310059, Romania University for Life Sciences "Regele Mihai I" Timisoara, Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, 119 Calea Aradului, Postal Code 300645, Romania 3. University “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad, Faculty of Economic Sciences, 77 Revoluției Boulevard, Postal Code 310130, Romania Author
  • Alexandru Eugeniu Mizeranschi Research and Development Station for Bovine Breeding Arad, 32 Calea Bodrogului, Postal Code: 310059, Romania University for Life Sciences "Regele Mihai I" Timisoara, Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, 119 Calea Aradului, Postal Code 300645, Romania 3. University “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad, Faculty of Economic Sciences, 77 Revoluției Boulevard, Postal Code 310130, Romania Author
  • Silviu Ilie Săplăcan Research and Development Station for Bovine Breeding Arad, 32 Calea Bodrogului, Postal Code: 310059, Romania University for Life Sciences "Regele Mihai I" Timisoara, Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, 119 Calea Aradului, Postal Code 300645, Romania 3. University “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad, Faculty of Economic Sciences, 77 Revoluției Boulevard, Postal Code 310130, Romania Author
  • Ludovic Toma Cziszter Research and Development Station for Bovine Breeding Arad, 32 Calea Bodrogului, Postal Code: 310059, Romania University for Life Sciences "Regele Mihai I" Timisoara, Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, 119 Calea Aradului, Postal Code 300645, Romania 3. University “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad, Faculty of Economic Sciences, 77 Revoluției Boulevard, Postal Code 310130, Romania Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1199/6034hn87

Keywords:

behavior, calves welfare, Romanian Spotted, weaning method

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyses the effects of weaning method on calf welfare based on body weight post weaning and behavior patterns. The study aimed to set the most appropriate weaning method in order to ensure the calves welfare. Study was carried out on 120 Romanian Spotted calves weaned at 60 days of age (60 calves) either abruptly or with a 14-day pre-weaning period (60 calves). Comparisons between the weaning methods for body weight and feeding behavior were performed using one-way ANOVA assay with categorical factor “weaning method”. A positive effect of the gradual weaning was observed on calves’ body weight post calving. The abrupt weaning induced an 8.4 % loss in calves body weight within the first 10 days after weaning compared to 4.1 % recorded in gradual weaning (P≤0.001). Gradually weaned calves allocated 174.11±6.31 min. / day for feeding divided into 9.2±0.61 meals compared to 104.26±9.71 min. / day feeding and 5.22±0.34 meals (P≤0.001) recorded in abruptly weaned calves. Performing gradual weaning decreases loss of calves’ body weight also increasing the feeding behavior patterns.

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Published

2023-08-01

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2023): Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine

Section

Articles