Effect of Various Flooring Types on the Growth, Some Behavioural Characteristics and Hematological Parameters of Friesian Calves
Effect of Various Flooring Types on the Growth, Some Behavioural Characteristics and Hematological Parameters of Friesian Calves
Tarek M. Mousa-Balabel1*, Ebrahim M. Farg2 and Abobakr A. Elkot1
ABSTRACT
The early phase of the young animals’ life is so crucial because the calves are too susceptible to environmental and housing factors such as floor and bedding materials. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of flooring materials on the behavior and performance of Friesian dairy calves. Twenty-seven female Friesian calves, with an average body weight of 38 ± 2.3 kg were randomly assigned according to their average body weight into three groups for a period of 120 days. Each group contained nine calves with three replicates. The calves in the first group were housed in an experimental pen with concrete floors. The calves in the second group were housed in an experimental pen with rubber mat. While, the calves in the third group were housed in an experimental pen with long rice straw bedding. The results revealed that there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in feed intake and body weight gain on the concrete and long rice straw beddings (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio was significantly improved in rubber mat. The ingestive behavior (feeding and drinking time) was improved in the concrete floor group. On the other hand, the longest and shortest resting duration of the calves after feeding belonged to the rubber mat and straw bedding. However, bedding substrates had no effect on hemato-biochemical blood parameters except for oesinophils and neutrophils. It could be concluded that the concrete floor substrate was excellent in terms of growth performance and the behavior of calves. While, the rubber mat substrate is more comfortable for Friesian calves to get more rest.
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