440 
Journal of A gricultural Research voi. xxvi, no. 9 
poorly throughout the experiment, the average gain in weight would 
have been considerably higher. It is significant to note that about 30 
per cent of the calves made normal gains during this latter period. 
While all of the calves were below normal at the end of the experiment 
(or when they were 6 months old), many of the calves were gaining so 
rapidly that there was every evidence that they would become normal 
within two or three months. This was especially true of most of the Hol¬ 
stein calves. The Jersey calves as a rule did not gain quite so rapidly. In 
order to determine when they would reach normal weight and height, 
data on one group of Jersey calves were taken until they were 1 year of 
age. These data are summarized in Table VII. From 8 months to 1 year, 
growth was very rapid, averaging 123 per cent of that normally made 
during this period. If the entire period from two months to 1 year is 
considered, it will be seen that practically normal weight is reached by 
the end of the first year. 
The average gain in weight by 10-day periods classified by breeds is 
shown in Table VIII. These averages are compared with the normal 
weights at the same ages. The average initial weight of the Jersey calves 
was 114 per cent normal at the beginning of the trial, while the Holstein 
calves were slightly underweight, averaging 97 per cent normal. In 
Figure 1 the percentage of normal gain is plotted. This illustrates the 
fact that the Jersey calves did not make as large gains compared to 
normal during the early part of the experiment as did the Holsteins. It 
also shows the tendency of the calves to come back to normal weight 
toward the close of the experiment. 
Data on the feed and nutrients consumed are presented in Tables IX to 
XII inclusive. Tot I consumed an average of 427 pounds of grain and 
344 pounds of hay containing 92 pounds of digestible crude protein and 
528 therms of net energy. Lot II consumed an average of 452 pounds of 
grain and 285 pounds of hay containing 85 pounds of digestible crude 
protein and 517 therms of net energy. 
The nutrients consumed per pound of gain for Lot I was 3.9 pounds of 
grain and 3.2 pounds of hay containing 0.86 pound of digestible crude 
protein and 4.87 therms of net energy. Lot II required 4.33 pounds of 
digestible crude protein and 4.71 therms of net energy for each pound of 
gain in weight. 
CONCLUSIONS 
Growth at a rate approximately 70 per cent of normal for calves under 
6 months of age can be secured by weaning thirfty dairy calves when 
60 to 70 days old and substituting therefor a good quality alfalfa or soy¬ 
bean hay and a suitable grain mixture. Following the change to grain 
and hay, poor growth is made until the calves become accustomed to the 
dry feed. After the first two months on such a ration there is a tendency 
for large gains to be made. However, the gains are not large enough to 
enable the calves to return to normal weight and height before they 
reach 6 months of age. 
Holstein calves make more nearly normal gains when fed by this method 
than do Jerseys. With few exceptions, the Holstein calves reach normal 
weight by the eighth or ninth month, while the Jerseys reach approxi¬ 
mately normal weight by the age of one year. 
The amount of grain and hay consumed by dairy calves is an excellent 
indication of the rate at which growth is made. 
