Weaning of Holstein calves voiter different diets. II. Observations of ruminanting and feeding times

Abstract

Twen ty -four Holstein male calves were used in a randonmized block design comparing the following treatments with milk (restricted quantities) and calf starter: A) no roughages; B)with alfalfa hay ; C) with Rhodes grass hay and D) with corn silage. Weekly 24 hour observations periods were used to study the times spent: eating, ruminating, eating + ruminating and nor eating neither ruminating, from 2 to 12 weeks old. Treatments with roughages presented significantly higher (P≤0,01) rumination times than the treatment without roughage. The ruminating times were A = 149min, B = 235 min, C = 249 min, and D = 316 min for 24 h period, at 12 weeks old.