AVERAGE DAILY GAIN AND WATER INTAKE IN GROWING BEEF CALVES OFFERED SNOW AS A WATER SOURCE

Abstract

Five calves were denied water for 112 d during winter but had access to snow as a water source (snow calves) and were compared with five calves that had continuous access to water (water calves). All calves were then given continuous access to water for a further 56 d. There was no significant difference between groups in water intake or average daily gain except at the beginning of the 56 d rewatering period when the snow calves drank more water per kg body mass than the water calves. Key words: Calves (weaned), average daily gain, snow, water intake, water influx, tritiated water