Juomaveden merkityksestä varttuneitten vasikoitten ja nuorten hiehojen ruokinnassa

Authors

• Aarne Mäkelä Helsingin yliopiston kotieläintieteen laitos

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.71457

Abstract

On the University Farm Viik three different experiments with Ayrshire calves and young heifers were performed for determining the effect of water consumption on the quantity of hay eaten. The animals received hay ad lib. in addition to definite amounts of concentrated foods, and, alternately in different periods, water either in very small quantities or almost or wholly ad lib. It was observed that the addition of water increased the consumption of hay and consequently, the consumption of dry matter and crude fibre as well (tables 1 and 2). When the amount of total water consumed (drinking-water plus water in the foods) was increased by 50—100 %, the increase in hay consumption was 15—40 % and in dry matter consumption 10—30 %. The amount of total water consumed by heifers calculated on a 100 kg live weight basis was in general greater than that consumed by cows subtracted by the water in the milk produced. As it became evident that the calves should receive water ad lib. already during full milk feeding, the feeding system of the calves on the University Farm was, as from autumn 1952, changed so that free access to water was allowed to all calves. With the new system the health of the calves has been exceptionally good and they have grown into excellent milk producers.