DefinePK

Abstract

A present study was conducted to compare partially modified organic calf rearing system and artificial calf rearing system on body weight gain performance, mortality and morbidity rate of Jersey cross bred calves in an organized exotic farm of Kashmir valley. In artificial calf rearing management practices the new born calves were kept separately from mother after colostrums feeding followed by milk feeding in bucket dosed at 3-4 litre/calf/day in two fractions in morning and evening. After attaining the age of 90 days, the milk was stopped and the calves were sent for grazing. In partially modified organic calf rearing system, the new born calves were kept together with their dam and/or with nursing cows dosed at 3 calves/cow up to the age of 90 days. Same body weight group calves were kept with nursing cows to minimize the competition among the calves during suckling of milk. After attaining the age of 75 days the nursing cows were withdrawn gradually from calves due to their changing of food habit from milk to fodder and concentrate. In modified organic calf rearing system the body weight gain of calf was significantly (P<0.05) higher as compared with the artificial calf rearing system at 90 days of age. The morbidity and mortality rate was also higher in artificial calf rearing system as compared with the organic calf rearing system from birth to weaning. In conclusion the modified organic calf rearing system is highly encouraging for better body weight gain performances, less morbidity and mortality and more economically viable as compared with artificial calf rearing system.