Livestock Studies 1998, Vol 38, Num, 2     (Pages: 019-031)

The Effects of Some Environmental Factors on Growth and Survival of the Brown and Holstein Calves

Hasan BASPINAR 1 ,Mustafa OĞAN 1 ,E. Seval BATMAZ 2 ,Faruk BALCI 3 ,Emin KARAKAŞ 3 ,Can BAKLACI 4

1 Doç. Dr., U. Ü. Vet. Fak. Zootekni Anabilim Dalı, BURSA
2 Yard. Doç. Dr., U. Ü. Vet. Fak. Zootekni Anabilim Dalı, BURSA
3 Dr., U. Ü. Vet. Fak. Zootekni Anabilim Dalı, BURSA.
4 Vet. Hekim, Karacabey Tarım İşletmesi, Karacabey-BURSA
- This study was carried out to investigate the effects of some enviromental factors on growth and survival of the Brown and Holstein female calves raised under the conditions of Karacabey State Farm.

Adjusted average birth weights of Brown and Holstein female calves were found as 38.83 and 39.51 kg respectively. The effects of genotype, the season of calving, the age of dam and gestation lenght on birth weight were determined statistatistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.01). The degrees of determination of this factors on birth weight were found as 2 %, 2 %, % 11 and 5 % respectively.

Adjusted average weaning weights of Brown and Holstein female calves were found as 86.24 and 87.59 kg respectively. The effects of the birth weight and the season of calving on weaning wight were found to be statistically significant in the level of P<0.001. The degrees of determination of the birth weight, genotype, the season of calving the age of dam and gestation lenght on weaning weight were determined to be 10 %, 1 %, 7 %, 2 % and 2 % respectively.

The survival on 75 th day of Brown and Holstein female calves has been established as 94.23 % and 95.93 % respectively.

When the study was completely considered, it will be possible to see an increase on the level of growth of animals by selection and culling program on the light of the enviromental factors that was found to have significant effects on birth weight and weaning weight of calves in this study. Keywords : Cattle, Brown, Holstein, Growth, Survival