Studies on dairy calves allowed to suckle their dams at fixed times Post partum.

Abstract

SUMMARY Two groups, each of 10 newborn dairy calves, were allowed to suckle their dams to satiation at 6 and again at 12 hr. post partum. The calves in one group were removed from their dams shortly after birth and only reintroduced for suckling. The other calves remained with their dams but were muzzled at all times other than when suckling. Large amounts of colostrum were ingested by most calves and there was no significant difference between the mean intakes of the 2 groups. A significant negative relationship (p = A third group of 10 ‘mothered’ calves was allowed to suckle only once, at 6 hr. post partum. It was found that the 6 hr. colostrum intakes of both groups of ‘mothered’ calves and their 48-hour serum immune globulin concentrations were not significantly different.