Influence of season and housing system on growth performance, blood metabolites and physiological responses of growing Friesian calves

Abstract EN

Sixteen Friesian growing calves were used to study growth and physiological responses during winter, spring and summer under tie-stall and loose housing systems.

Significant differences (P < 0.01) were recorded between the two systems for body weight gain (96.38 vs.

82.32 kg), daily weight gain (1.02 vs.0.92 kg), water intake (59.70 vs.

77.51 ml/kg), rectal temperature (38.6 vs.

38.9 oC) and respiration rate (41.7 vs.

48.7 resp./min.) in favor of tie-stall.

However, DMI, ST and blood metabolites showed insignificant differences.

Animals showed better growth performance in tie-stall than loose barn.

Housing systems affected growth performance and body reaction, but it did not act blood parameters.

In the meantime, seasons exerted significant effects for all parameters in in favor of winter.