Investigation into calf management systems in some selected dairy farms of Chattogram district in Bangladesh.

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the dairy calves raising systems in some selected farms of Chattogram district face to face survey. Fifty farmers were interviewed. The questionnaire addressed issues related to the Socio demographic characteristics of respondents and herd size, management of the colostrum, nutritional management of the feeding phase, housing and health management. In our survey, about 40% farmers education level were secondary. We found that most village farmers were aware of colostrum feeding, but not in an appropriate way. and only 42% of the calves receive colostrum within the first 2 h of life. About 56% producers allow the calf to suckle colostrum directly from the mother. Regarding the health management, only 30% calf and 44% periparturient dam were vaccinated. In case of housing 84% calves were housed in groups, where 78% within cows barn. And regarding the feeding management 76% calves were milking directly from the dam by suckling, most of the farmers were not supply access of water, hay, green grass and concentrate at early age. It was possible to identify several areas of improvement in the raising system; for instance, greater attention could be given to the establishment of adequate protocols to colostrum feeding, and feeding management.