Suggested Plan for Feeding and Weaning of The Egyptian Crossbred Friesian Calves الخطة المقترحة لتغذیة وفطام عجول الفریزیان الهجین المصریة

Abstract

Eighteen male and three female of Egyptian crossbred Friesian calves were chosen with average weight of 34.5±0.22 kg. Calves fed colostrum for the first three days, and then it fed whole cow milk (WCM) at 10% of LBW for seven days of age. Calves fed nursery starter (NSD) and grower starter diets (GSD) according to Kearl, (1982) during pre- and post-weaning. Calves subjected to the following treatments: T1, 100% WCM as (control), while, T2 and T3 were fed two milk replacer (MR) programs, and solids rate. The age at weaning was 105, 85 and 105 days, respectively. During pre-weaning, NSD recorded the lowest values in T1 than the other treatments and calves showed an increased in TBW and DG compared with those fed MR (T2 and T3). While the period of 15 days before weaning T2 was high in TBW and DG followed by T3 and the lowest values was in T1. Calves in T1 showed the better feed conversion than those in T2 or T3. From 15 days pre-weaning up to weaning, T2 was better in feed conversion. Early weaning in T2 program (85 d) resulted in higher (P<0.05) CF digestibility than those weaning at 105 days in T1 or T3 programs. Calves in T2 recorded the lowest values of LBW, TBWG, and DG than the other treatments. It could be conclude that, animals fed MR reached early weaning age which could help farmers to keep up the suckling calves that alleviate milk and beef shortage problem in Egypt.