Performance of Friesian Holstein Cross Post Colostrums’ Calves Reared Under Free Choice Feeding System

Abstract

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the free choice feeding technique on performance of Frisian Holstein Cross POST colostrums calves on early weaning programs. Six FH calves were divided into two feeding systems. Half of them were fed with mix diet and another half were subjected to free choice diet. Mix diet consists of 38.65% corn, 28.98% wheat brand, 28.98% soybean meal and 3.39% mineral mix. The free choice diets consisted of corn, wheat brand, soybean meal, coconut meal and mineral mix served in separate feeding buckets. The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance and any significant differences were subjected to T-Test. There were no significant different on dry matter intake, total digestible nutrient, fiber, Ca and P intakes, weight of weaning calves and feed efficiency between the treatment, but the treatment were significantly affected the protein intake, milk intake, weaning time and body weight gain. It was concluded that the free choice diets technique provide nutrients to support a good performance of FH calf on early weaning program.