Correlations between birth weights, weaning weights, 11-week weights, weight gains and feed conversion ratios of early weaned calves

Abstract

Growth data and feed intakes were recorded from 333 male, Friesian calves from birth to 11 weeks of age. The calves came from seven experiments. All calves were weaned from milk replacer at five weeks and fed a starter from two to eleven weeks of age. The average birth weight of the calves was 42.6 kg, they gained 13.6 kg to weaning at five weeks and 32.2 kg from weaning to 11 weeks of age. There was a significant positive correlation between birth weight and weight at weaning and 11 weeks, but the correlation between birth weight and weight gain to 11 weeks was not significant. The correlation coefficient for the weight gain pre-and post-weaning was 0.20 over all calves. There was a significant negative (r = -0.26) correlation between the weight gain post-weaning and the feed conversion ratio. Hence, it is concluded that birth weight is a poor indicator of subsequent weight gains.