108. Effect of environmental enrichment on feed intake, feed efficiency and cross-sucking of dairy bred calves offered high amounts of milk replacer twice daily
Application: Cross sucking (CS) was almost eliminated in calves reared in pairs by bedding calves with straw directly following milk feeding, while feed efficiency (FE) was not affected. Artificially reared calves commonly suck each other following milk consumption [3], which is indicative of poor welfare [1, 2]. This study aimed to compare individually and pair housing calves, along with the effect of environmental enrichment (EE) on CS in pair reared calves on feed intake, growth rate and FE of dairy bred calves. Calves (n = 48) were randomly selected and allocated according to birth date and live weight (LW) (49.3 ± 0.45 kg) to housing in pairs or individually (2.5 m 2) at 7 to 10 d of age. At 5 weeks of age calves were offered one of three EE’s; Cereal bedding straw (Straw) and Manila rope (Rope) for one hour directly following twice daily milk feeding (max 11.5 l/d) until weaning at 12 weeks of age. Dry matter intake (DMI), LW and FE were assessed bi-weekly, while behaviour was assessed twice daily for 10 mins pre and 30 mins post milk feeding [3]. DMI, LW and FE were normally distributed and assessed using GLM AVONAs, while behaviour was not normally distributed and assessed using Kruskal Wallis commands (Minitab, 17.0). Animal was applied as a random effect, while housing and EE were applied as fixed effects in the models. Calves housing calves in pairs performed more CS, unless offered straw bedding following milk feeding. Offering straw directly following milk consumption, reduced CS and increased play, nutritive behaviour, while manilla rope did not. Housing, calves individually or in pairs, EE and oral engagement with straw had no effect on starter intake or FE. In conclusion, calves housed in pairs performed greater amounts of CS compared with individually housed calves, which undertake more non-nutritive oral behaviour. This CS was almost eliminated by offering straw bedding as an EE directly following milk feeding, but not by offering manilla rope. Individual and pair housing of calves and offering bedding straw and rope as an EE did no effect DMI, LW and FE of dairy bred calves.
Citation
Margerison, J., & Hemmingway-Wood O'Dell, M. (2021). 108. Effect of environmental enrichment on feed intake, feed efficiency and cross-sucking of dairy bred calves offered high amounts of milk replacer twice daily. Animal - Science proceedings, 12(1), 87
