Effect of Weaning and Natural Suckling on the Colostrum, Milk and Dry Matter Intake and Growth Performance of Sahiwal Calves

Background: The young calves are the future replacement stock in any farm. Traditionally calves are allowed to suckle their dams while in modern intensive dairy farming calves get separated from the dam. The current study was aimed to find the influence of weaning and natural suckling on the colostrum, milk and dry matter intake growth performance of Sahiwal calves. Methods: Twelve newborn Sahiwal calves were selected and divided into 2 groups, one group was weaned from their dams immediately after birth (weaned group) and another allowed to suckle their dam (suckled group). The parameters were taken daily for colostrum intake, weekly for milk intake and fortnightly for total dry matter intake (from milk, green fodder and concentrate), body weight and average body weight gain. Result: The mean daily colostrum intake during the first 3 feedings were significantly (P<0.05) lower in weaned calves as compared to suckled calves. The mean daily milk intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in suckled (3.37 kg/day) as compared to weaned (2.80 kg/day) calves whereas average total dry matter intake did not differ between weaned and suckled calves. The mean final body weights at 12 th fortnight was only numerically higher in suckled group of calves as compared to weaned group of calves while the overall average daily gain (ADG) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in case of suckled calves (0.419 +/- 0.012 kg/day) than weaned (0.377 +/- 0.009) group of Sahiwal calves. It was concluded that the colostrum and milk intake performance as well as the final body weight and average daily body weight gain was improved in naturally suckled Sahiwal calves as compared to weaned calves.