Vol. 14, Issue 2 (2025)

Author(s):
VS Athira, PT Suraj, C Balusami, A Prasad, Sajith Purushothaman and V Babitha

Abstract:
The study was conducted at the Livestock Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu, Palakkad, Kerala, from February to August 2024, to evaluate the growth performance of crossbred heifer calves under different housing systems across summer and rainy seasons. Twenty heifer calves were randomly assigned to two housing treatments: conventional tie-barn (3.3 m²/animal) and loose housing (20 m²/animal). Both groups received a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) at 3% of body weight and had free access to water. Climatic parameters such as ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded using a digital data logger, and Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) was calculated. THI values indicated that loose housing provided better thermal comfort during summer, with significantly lower THI values (p< 0.05) in the first, second, and fifth fortnights. However, during the rainy season, tie barns exhibited lower THI values, with significant differences observed in the sixth and tenth fortnights (p< 0.01 and p< 0.02, respectively). Body weight trends showed no significant differences (p> 0.05) between the two housing systems. During summer, mean body weight increased from 74.26 kg to 105.86 kg for animals in tie barns and from 75.71 kg to 108.91 kg for those in loose house system. By the fourteenth fortnight (rainy season), body weight reached 171.9 kg for animals in tie barns and 158.99 kg for those in loose housing. Average daily gain (ADG) was higher in loose housing during summer (e.g., fortnight 1: 0.39±0.049 kg vs. 0.3074±0.049 kg, P = 0.126), but significantly higher in tie barns during the rainy season (fortnight 7: 0.9338±0.120 kg vs. 0.464±0.120 kg, P = 0.01, F = 7.61). Body measurements, including wither height (105.7 cm vs. 102.6 cm), hip height (111.2 cm vs. 107.9 cm), heart girth (137.8 cm vs. 128.2 cm), belly girth (153.6 cm vs. 151.8 cm), hip width (25.1 cm vs. 23.9 cm), and body length (108.3 cm vs. 105.6 cm) were higher in tie barns during the rainy season compared to those in loose hoose system, but the differences were not statistically significant (p> 0.05). The results suggest that loose housing offers superior thermal comfort and growth performance during summer, while tie barns provide better protection and higher weight gain during the rainy season. Adaptive housing strategies based on seasonal variations can optimize calf growth, welfare, and productivity.