Bottle-Feeding on Some Performance Criteria of Holstein Calves during the Sucking Period

The present study investigates the effects of consuming starter feed from a bucket or bottle on dry matter intake, live weight gain, daily live weight gain, and feed conversion ratio during the weaning period in Holstein calves. Sixteen Holstein calves were used. The calves were randomly divided into two groups: the bucket group (n=8) was fed starter feed from a bucket, while the bottle group (n=8) was fed starter feed from a bottle in addition to the bucket, starting from the 4th day, along with milk until weaning. All calves were weaned at the 60th day of age. The average weaning weight was recorded as 82.30 kg (±2.73 kg) in the bottle group and 79.15 kg (±3.33 kg) in the bucket group. A non-significant difference was observed in the daily live weight gain between the two groups (p>0.05), with an average of 0.69 kg (±0.03 kg) in the bottle group and 0.66 kg (±0.04 kg) in the bucket group. In conclusion, the method of administering starter feed to suckling calves did not affect parameters such as feed consumption, live weight gain, daily live weight gain, or feed conversion ratio.