EFFECTS OF HOUSING AND COLOSTRUM FEEDING ON SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULINS, GROWTH, AND FECAL SCORES OF JERSEY CALVES

Ninety-six Jersey calves were used to evaluate the effects of housing and method of colostrum feeding on serum Ig concentrations, incidence and severity of scours, intake, and BW changes from birth to 35 d of a ge. Calves were separated from the dam and fed 2 L of colostrum in nip ple-bottles or allowed to nurse the dam for 3 d. Calves were housed in individual hutches or wooden pens in a barn. Intake of colostrum by c alves allowed to nurse the dam was not controlled. Serum IgG and IgM c oncentrations at 24 h of age were greater for calves that nursed the d am. Scours were less severe when calves were housed in hutches, but nu mber of days scouring was unaffected by treatment. Calves fed colostru m in nipple-bottles and housed in the barn consumed more starter than did other calves from 3 to 5 wk of age. The BW were greater for calves allowed to nurse the dam and housed in hutches. Feed efficiency over the 35-d study was improved when calves nursed the dam. Optimal transf er of passive immunity and housing in hutches appeared to maximize hea lth and growth in this study.