Effects of weaning ages on the growth, feed conversion efficiency and some behavioral traits of Brown Swiss x Eastern Anatolian Red F1 calves; [Sütten kesim yaşlarının esmer x doğu anadolu kırmızısı F1 buzağılarında büyüme, yemden yararlanma oranı ve bazı davranış özellikleri üzerine etkileri]

The purpose of this research was to investigate the possibility of the reducing weaning age of Brown Swiss x Eastern Anatolian Red F1 crossbred calves reared in North East Region of Anatolia. A total of 26 calves were housed in individual hutches and weaned at 2 (early weaning) or 3 (late weaning) months of age. While weaning weight of the calves in different weaning age treatment groups was significantly (P<0.01) different in favor of calves weaned lately, 6 months weight was not significantly affected by ages of weaning. Average 6 months weight of the male calves was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of female calves. The effects of weaning ages on the weight gain in both post-weaning and overall periods of the trial were not significant. Total milk dry matter intake (DMI) of the late weaned calves were significantly (P<0.01) greater than that of early weaned calves. However, starter DMI of the calves weaned 2 months of age was higher (P<0.05) than that of late weaned calves, but dry hay and total feed DMI were not affected by the weaning ages. Sex of the calves also did not result in significant effects on the milk, dry hay, starters and total feed DMI. Feed conversion efficiency in a period between birth and 6 months of age were not significantly affected by weaning ages. The weaning age and sex of calves did not significantly affect the gains in body measurements. Percentage of time spent for lying, standing, eating and drinking water behaviors were not also significantly affected by both weaning ages and sex of calves. The results of this study suggested that the crossbred calves could be weaned successfully at 2 months of age without having adverse effect on their growth, feed conversion efficiency and behavioral traits. © Ankara Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi.