Factors Affecting Morbidity, Mortality, and Growth Rates in Suckling Calves under Conditions of Nile Delta, Egypt

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate morbidity, mortality risk, and growth rates during period from birth to weaning in calves under the conditions of Nile Delta. Data were collected during the period from January 2009 until December 2018. Data were collected from 1727 newborn calves from 3 breeds (869 Friesian, 488 Baladi and 370 their Crossbred). The overall rates of calf morbidity and mortality during the period of pre-weaning reached 74.35% and 12.16%, respectively. The majority of cases occurred within the period from 8 to 30 days of calf age (44.93% and 6.20%, respectively). Morbidity and mortality rates were the lowest for Crossbred calves. The means of calf weight at birth and weaning, amount of milk used for suckling and the average daily gain were significantly greater for Friesian calves. Furthermore, morbidity, mortality and growth rates were affected by calf birth season, dam parity, calf gender, calf weight at birth and cause of disease. Incidence and mortality rates due to enteric diseases alone during the pre-weaning period were higher (71.18% and 36.67%, respectively). Calves affected by the diseases had significantly decreased weight at weaning compared with healthy calves. It is clear from this study that elevated calf mortality was associated with low weight at birth. Accordingly, we recommend more attention must be given to proper management and improved health conditions of the calves. It must be obtained ideal weights at birth, alleviate heat stress during the summer, and care for primiparous cows.