The effect of environmental temperature on growth of dairy heifers
Gangwar, P.C.
Indian Veterinary Journal 47(2): 128-135
1970
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6479 PMID: 5446946 Document Number: 19377
10 Holstein-Friesian heifers aged 10-15 mth from the Louisiana State University herd were divided into 2 groups matched for age and body weight. Both groups were maintained for 60 days under natural climatic conditions in spring, followed by 60 days in a psychrometric chamber in which the temp, was cycled between 6.00 and 22.00 hr at 85 degrees , 95 degrees and 75 degrees C; in the 3rd period of 60 days, group 1 animals were maintained under air condi- tioning and group 2 were subjected to summer temps. For the 3 periods of 60 days resp., av. daily gain in group 1 animals was 2.25, 0.89 and 2.19 lb and in group 2 animals 2.33, 0.95 and 1.80 lb, the differences in both groups between periods 1 and 2, and in period 3 between groups, being significant. The effect of temp. on gain in body length and height at withers was similar to that on body weight.