Performance Characteristics of Swedish Red And Holstein Friesian Calves Reared Organically at Open Barns

This study was conducted to determine the performance traits of Swedish Red and Hostein Friesian calves reared organically at open sheeds of organic dairy farm of Dogan Organic Products Campany in Dereyüzü distric of Kelkit. In present study, a total of 39 Swedish Red (n=19) and Hostein Friesian (n=20) female calves at about 6 months of age were used as animal material. Animals were fed ad libitum and had free access to water during the experiment. Initial weights, final weights and daily weight gains were determined to be 199.8 ± 6.19 and 178.7±6.04 kg, 320.8±7.77 and 315.5±7.55 kg, and 0.712±0.04 and 0.684± 0,04 kg for Swedish Red and Hostein Friesian calves, respectively. In addition, hay, concentrate and total feed consumption per kg live weight gain were 5.348±0.75 and 4.987±0.75 kg, 5.357±0.58 and 5.257±0.58 kg, and 10.705±1.24 and 10.244±1.24 kg for Swedish Red and Hostein Friesian calves, respectively. The effect of breed on daily weight gain and feed consumption per kg live weight gain was insignificant. Results obtained from present study showed that aproximately 6-month Swedish Red and Hostein Friesian calves subjected to 6-month experiment were similar in terms of performance traits.