A comparison of the growth performance and blood composition of twin and singleton calves

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Abstract
Summary: 1. The growth rate, feed-conversion ratio and blood composition of 14 twin calves were compared with those of 14 contemporary singletons.2. The growth rate and feed-conversion ratio from weaning to 3 months were similar for twin and singleton calves.3. The twin calves weighed significantly less at birth, weaning and 3 months of age but differences in weight were not significant at 1 year of age.4. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) and the mean concentrations of blood glucose and haemoglobin, serum albumin, urea nitrogen, calcium, inorganic phosphate, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, iron and total iron binding capacity, at 11, 12 and 13 weeks of age were similar in the two groups. Concentrations of globulin were significantly lower in the serum of twin calves than those in the serum of singletons.5. There was significantly less variation between twin calves than among offspring from different dams for PCV and concentrations of blood haemoglobin and serum potassium and calcium.6. The results did not reveal any overall disadvantage in twins as compared with singletons.