Thesis
Effectiveness of calf jacket on Jersey calf behavior, growth performance, and health
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2017
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101662
Abstract
When environmental temperatures are lower than a calf’s thermoneutral zone (TNZ), cold stress ensues. Jersey calves are especially vulnerable to cold weather conditions because of their small frame. This study investigated the effectiveness of using calf jackets to minimize the effects of cold stress to improve health and growth performance in Jersey calves. Twenty Jersey heifer calves were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) provided jacket from 1 – 14 days of age (J); or 2) not provided a jacket (NJ). During the first two weeks after birth, calf behavior was recorded at 5-min intervals (during daylight hours) using a time-lapse video camera and calf body temperatures were recorded at 1-h intervals using Thermochron® ibuttons attached to the underside of each calf’s tail. Calf body weights were recorded every 7 days until weaning, and health treatment records were collected over the course of the study. Environmental conditions (ambient temperature and relative humidity) were recorded at 1-h intervals using HOBO® data loggers and used to calculate the Temperature Humidity Index (THI). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measures using SAS. Average ambient temperature was 3.65 °C (average high: 19.44 °C/average low: - 18.85 °C). No significant differences were detected between the two treatment groups for calf lying behavior (P = 0.15), final BW (J: 57.83 ± 3.97 kg, NJ: 59.52 ± 4.30 kg; P = 0.79), average daily gain (J: 1.08 ± 0.16 kg/day, NJ: 1.16 ± 0.13 kg/day; P = 0.42), number of health treatments recorded (all P ≥ 0.44), or body temperature (P = 0.71). As ambient temperatures decreased, THI within the hutches decreased (P < 0.0001) and calf body temperatures increased (P < 0.0001). More lying behavior was observed in calves as temperatures within the hutches decreased (P = 0.004); and, the number of health treatments recorded decreased as the calves aged (P = 0.002). Although the environmental temperatures documented during this study were below the TNZ (15.6 °C) for Jersey calves, calf jackets did not appear to influence calf behavior, body temperature, or health.
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Details
- Title
- Effectiveness of calf jacket on Jersey calf behavior, growth performance, and health
- Creators
- Xiaoyu Wen
- Contributors
- Amber L. Adams-Progar (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Animal Sciences, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525116001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis