Research Article

Analysis of the growth and development of Holstein-Friesian and Simmental calves held in an "igloo" type hutches

Małgorzata Szewczuk, Karolina Turek, Piotr Sablik

West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 14(1), 2015, 127‒136

Abstract. The research was conducted on Holstein-Friesian (31) and Simmental (83) calves kept in "igloo" sheds until their third month of life. In Holstein-Friesian cattle easy deliveries were most common (61.3%), whilst in Simmentals there were more difficult deliveries, which required help of more than one person (54.2%). The assessment of calves’ growth and development was based on body mass at birth, body mass in subsequent months of life and daily body mass gains in given rearing period as well and health assessment. All HF calves were born healthy and heavier (+1.5 kg) than Simmental calves (P ≤ 0.05). During the whole raising period Simmental calves had higher daily mass gains (+40 g) than HF calves. The worst season in calves raising was the summer (HF – 25.7% of sick cows) and the fall (SM – 32.4%).

Keywords: body weight, daily gains, rearing of calves