A note on performance of Holstein Friesian veal calves raised to weaning individually or in groups

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Abstract
Male Holstein-Friesian veal calves (48) were raised from an average of 50 to a weaning weight of 93 kg, either tied individually, loose in groups of 4 or in groups of 8. Three individually-fed and 9 group-fed calves died before weaning some of them due to intoxication by insecticides used in the barn. In the 3 treatments, each calf was provided with 1 nipple and 0.75 m2 of space. All the individually fed calves were fed from the same container. Feeding was ad lib on milk substitute offered at 10% of the animals'' body weight and the amount was adjusted each week to correspond to changes in calves weight. The percent of milk consumed of milk offered was similar for the 3 treatments (ranging 86.0-89.0%). However, the feed conversion ratio was higher for calves raised individually (2.26 TDN[total digestible nutrients]/weight gained), than for those reared in groups of 4 or 8 which had similar feed conversion ratios (1.61 and 1.51). Average daily gain was higher for calves raised in groups than those raised individually, the difference of 0.23 kg with those raised in groups of 4, being significant (P < 0.05). Calves reared individually took almost 3 wk longer to reach weaning weight than those reared in groups.

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