Effects of different production systems on health, zootechnical and metabolic parameters in Holstein calves in the extreme south of Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2024v44n2p625

Keywords:

Bovine neonatology, Growth, Diarrhea, Bronchopneumonia.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of diseases as well as metabolic and zootechnical parameters in Holstein calves maintained in individual or collective housing systems in the extreme south of Brazil. One hundred calves were included immediately after birth and monitored for 90 days. Animals were randomly divided into two groups: individual stalls group (ISG; n=50) and collective stalls group (CSG; n=50). ISG calves were individually housed in 1.2m² wood pens and received 6 L of milk/day and concentrate food and water ad libitum for 90 days. Calves in the CSG were housed in groups of up to 25 animals, in a total of two stalls containing one animal per 3 m2. CSG calves received up to 8 L of milk/day at 0-15 days, milk ad libitum at 15-40 days, 7.2 L of milk. /day at 40-60 days, and gradual weaning at 60-90 days with concentrate food and water ad libitum, using an automatic feeder. In both groups, Zootechnical  parameters (weight, thoracic perimeter, height at the withers, and rump width) were measured weekly during the first 28 days and once every 15 days until weaning. Blood samples were retrieved weekly during the first 28 days. Metabolic parameters evaluated in this study were total calcium, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), free fatty acids (FFA), and glucose. The animals were monitored daily for clinical signs of diseases diarrhea and respiratory symptoms. General morbidity was higher in CSG 92% compared to ISG 74% (p<0.05). We observed increased diarrhea-related morbidity and a higher rate of recurrence in the ISG (50% and 60%, respectively; p<0.05) compared to those in the CSG (both 20%, p<0.05 between groups). The morbidity due to bronchopneumonia was higher in the CSG (92%) than in the ISG (74%, p<0.05). Recurrence of bronchopneumonia and mortality were similar between groups (p>0.05). Glucose, FFA, and BHBA concentrations were higher in the ISG (p<0.05) and total calcium higher in CSG (p<0.05). Finally, the weight and thoracic perimeter were higher in the CSG than those in the ISG, whereas the height and, rump width, at the withers was higher in the ISG than that in the CSG (p<0.05). In conclusion, animals raised in a collective system with automatic feeders exhibited less diarrhea and increased serum calcium as well as improved zootechnical development, although they had a higher incidence of bronchopneumonia.

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Author Biographies

Ritieli dos Santos Teixeira, Universidade Federal de  Pelotas

Núcleo de Pesquisa Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária, Department of Veterinary Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de  Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.

Murilo Scalcon Nicola, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Núcleo de Pesquisa Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária, Department of Veterinary Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.

Gustavo Felipe da Silva Sousa, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Núcleo de Pesquisa Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária, Department of Veterinary Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.

Uriel Secco Londero, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Núcleo de Pesquisa Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária, Department of Veterinary Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.

Eduardo Gularte Xavier, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Núcleo de Pesquisa Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária, Department of Veterinary Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.

Francisco Augusto Burkert Del Pino, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Núcleo de Pesquisa Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária, Department of Veterinary Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.

Viviane Rohrig Rabassa, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Núcleo de Pesquisa Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária, Department of Veterinary Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.

Marcio Nunes Corrêa, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Núcleo de Pesquisa Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária, Department of Veterinary Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.

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Published

2024-05-06

How to Cite

Teixeira, R. dos S., Nicola, M. S., Sousa, G. F. da S., Londero, U. S., Xavier, E. G., Del Pino, F. A. B., … Corrêa, M. N. (2024). Effects of different production systems on health, zootechnical and metabolic parameters in Holstein calves in the extreme south of Brazil. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 44(2), 625–638. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2024v44n2p625

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