Effect of some non-genetic factors on birth weight and pre-weaning growth pattern of Kedah-Kelantan calves

The aim of the study is to identify the non-genetic causes that affect birth weight and to observe growth performance of KK calves. The non-genetic factors affecting birth weight of KK calves encompassed sex of calves, year of birth, season of birth and parity of dam. Birth weights of 738 KK were obtained from farm records for this study. Record from 30 individuals were taken for S-and 6-month age of body weight for study of growth performance. Data obtained are subjected to analysis of variance by using SPSS, verson 11.5 computer software. Fixed effect model was developed according the factors of contribution. The study revealed that effect of calves and year of birth were highly significant (p<0.01) on birth weight of KK calves. Effect of season of birth and parity of dam were insignificant (p>0.05) on birth weight of KK calves. Growth performance of KK calves was evaluated through average daily gain (ADG) by dividing into 2 periods which are ADG1 (birth to 3-month) and ADG2 (3- to 6-month). Study found that mean ADG1 and ADG2 were 338.148±15.565g/day and 247.407±45.254g/day respectively.