Pre-Weaning Growth Rate and Thermoregulatory Parameters of Friesian X Bunaji Calves as Influenced by Different Ratios of Soy: Cow Milk

Authors

  • I. U. Gadzama National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika-Zaria,
  • S. M. Yashim Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • S. B. Abdu Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • S. Abubakar National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika-Zaria,
  • S. O. Ereke Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.4630

Keywords:

Bunaji, Friesian, soymilk, cow milk, calves

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of feeding different ratios of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) milk and Friesian x Bunaji cow milk on pre-weaning growth rate, weaning weight and thermoregulatory parameters of Friesian x Bunaji calves. Sixteen (16) calves with average body weight of 34.8±0.7 kg were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with 4 calves per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design. Results showed that calves had significantly (p<0.05) different weights at birth. There was also significant (p<0.05) difference in pre-weaning growth rate (PWGR), pre-weaning average daily weight gain (PWADWG) and weaning weights (WW) of calves across the treatments. Calves fed diet containing 25:75 ratio of soy:cow milk had higher PWGR (108.75 g), PWADWG (109.41 g) and WW (109.75 kg) followed by those on treatment containing 50:50 ratio of soy:cow milk (105.00 g, 105.73 g and 106.00 kg), respectively. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in rectal temperature (RT) of calves across the treatments, but heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) differed significantly (p<0.05) as the level of soymilk increased in the diet. The highest and lowest HR (97.43 bpm) and (90.00 bpm) were observed in calves fed diets containing 75:25 and 25:75 ratios of soy:cow milk, respectively. While the highest (43.43 brpm) and lowest (40.86 brpm) respiratory rates were recorded in calves fed diets containing 75:25 and 50:50 ratios of soy:cow milk, respectively. All the thermoregulatory parameters measured were within the normal range for healthy calves. Therefore, feeding calves with 25:75 ratio of soy:cow milk is recommended for better weaning weight than feeding cow milk alone.

Author Biographies

S. M. Yashim, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

S. B. Abdu, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

S. O. Ereke, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

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Published

2024-07-09

How to Cite

Gadzama, I. U., Yashim, S. M., Abdu, S. B., Abubakar, S., & Ereke, S. O. (2024). Pre-Weaning Growth Rate and Thermoregulatory Parameters of Friesian X Bunaji Calves as Influenced by Different Ratios of Soy: Cow Milk. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 199–201. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.4630

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