Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
KSU TARIM VE DOGA DERGISI-KSU JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURE, cilt.21, sa.4, ss.607-614, 2018 (ESCI)
This study was carried out to investigate effects of the two different feed presentation methods on the growth performance, feed intake, feed efficiency and some behavioral traits of Holstein Friesian calves. Feed presentation groups are: 1. Mixture of chopped dry hay and concentrate (MR), 2. Presentation of the concentrate and dry hay at natural form in two different feed bunks (SR). A total of 25 Holstein Friesian calves (14 heads in MR group; 11 heads in SR group) was used as research material. Results of the study revealed that 3 months (P<0.05) and 6 months (P<0.01) weights as well as weight gains between weaning and 3 months of age (P<0.05) and between 3 and 6 months (P<0.01) were in favor of SR. Additionally, calves fed according to SR method consumed higher (P<0.01) amount of feed compared to those in MR group, but it was also found out that there was no significant difference between treatment groups concerning feed efficiency values. Two different feed presentation methods had significant influence (P<0.05) on the gains of hearth depth and hearth girth in a period between birth and 6 months of age in favor of MR. It was also determined that calves fed according to SR method had lower (P<0.01) percentage of time spent for standing behavior and greater percentage of time spent for feeding (P<0.01) and drinking water (P<0.05) during the trial. As a result, presentation of the concentrate and dry hay at natural form in two different feeders (SR) to the Holstein Friesian calves resulted in higher weight gain as well as feed intake compared to MR feeding, and it did not affect adversely feed efficiency value. For that reasons, it was concluded that SR method was more appropriate for the Holstein Friesian calves raised under conditions of the Eastern Anatolian Region.