Effects of Three Rearing Methods on the Growth and Development of Binglangjiang Buffalo Calves

PurposeTo study the effects of three rearing methods on the growth and development of Binglangjiang buffalo calves.

MethodForty-two healthy newborn calves were randomly divided into 3 groups according to their birth order. Each group had 14 calves with half males and half females, colostrum was fed from the age of 0 to 5 days, and groups I and II were fed maternal milk 3.5 kg/(day·calf) and 4.5 kg/(day·calf) at the age of >5-90 days, respectively, and group Ⅲ was fed with 0.8 kg/(day·calf) (milk replacer diluted 1∶5 with water). From the age of >5 day , the luring feed with a dietary restriction amount of 2 kg/day was given. From the 15^th day, the corn silage was supplemented, and the single-column feeding system was used. The weaning was carried out at the 90^th day , and the trial period lasted 180 days. The body weight and body size indicators were measured before morning feeding at the age of 5, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days, and statistical analysis was performed.

ResultThe average dry matter intake of \leqslant 60 days old calves was significantly higher in group I and Ⅲ than that in group Ⅱ (P<0.05), and that of >60-90 days old calves in group Ⅰ than that in group Ⅱ (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in feed intake at the age of >90-180 days (P>0.05); no significant difference existed in the average daily feed intake of corn silage (P>0.05). The body weight of the group II was significantly higher than that in the test group Ⅲ at the age of 90 days (P<0.05). Three rearing methods almost did not affect other body size index (P>0.05) except for the body slant length, hip height, tuber ischi height and romp length, but the diarrhea rate in group Ⅲ was slightly higher than those in the other two groups. Compared with group I and Ⅱ, the rearing with the milk replacer (group Ⅲ) could reduce the feeding cost by 36.46% and 22.69%, respectively.

ConclusionThe three rearing methods did not affect body weight and body size indicators, but significantly reduced ADMI of the concentrate supplement was found in group Ⅱ before weaning and reduced body weight in group Ⅲ (the milk replacer) at 90 days old. These three methods could be applied to Bingliangjiang calves with the best growth in group Ⅱ and the lowest cost in the milk replacer rearing.