Studies on Growth Rate of Limousine Calves Maintained on Pasture and Free Stabulation

Abstract

The aim of this study as to monitor the growth process from birth to weaning (six months old) of the females and males Limousine calves maintained on pasture or shelter. The research was performed in a private farm situated in Covasna County. In this farm, the rearing of the calves was done without a technological guide. The calves were reared along with the mother cows for six months. The introduction of vegetal food into the calves ration was done at 3 weeks of age. In the first period (first month), all calves were housed in shelter, having free access to the paddock. The daily gain was 666.7 g in females and 800 g in males. In the second period (from one month of age until weaning), a group was maintained on pasture, and the other group in shelter. The daily gain was 1120 g in females and 1200 g in males on pasture; 1067 g and 1140 g, respectively in shelterhe stress of weaning was present only to the young females; for ten days, these were restlessness, having the desire for sucking and the appetite for food has decreased. Their bodyweight has decreased with 12%, the differences being significant (p≤0.05).