The effect of weaning treatment on the development of solid food intake in calves

Abstract

SUMMARYGroups of Friesian bull calves were reared on a high intake of milk substitute for either 21 or 28 days, and were then weaned over 7 or 14 days. Dried grass cubes were offered, as the only source of solid food, for 6 weeks from the start of weaning.The rate of increase of solid food intake of calves weaned from 28 days was considerably greater than that of calves weaned from 21 days, and the later weaned groups were less severely affected by weaning. There was little difference in either the development of solid food intake, or in the severity of the weaning check, between groups weaned at different rates, though the slower rate of weaning tended to delay the intake of solid food temporarily.The severity of the post-weaning check was inversely related to age at weaning, but was not affected by weaning weight. Growth after weaning was not related to either weight or age at weaning.There were significant correlations between weight or age at weaning and solid food intake 5 weeks later, and a close correlation between the level of liquid intake established before weaning, and subsequent solid food intake. It was not possible to evaluate the effect of each of these variables, in isolation, on food intake after weaning.