Twenty-four Holstein x Zebu crossbred calves were used to compare the following experimental treatments: 1) calves management every day of the week, 2) absence of calves management on Sundays, with the compensation of the amount of milk fed (6 kg of whole milk given on Saturdays and on Mondays), and 3) absence of calves management on Sundays without the compensation of the amount of milk fed. Calves were fed 4 kg of whole milk/animal/day (except for treatment 2) up to 8 weeks of age when they were abruptly weaned. Starter was available to calves since the second week of age and limited to 2 kg/animal/day. It was concluded that: (a) the absence of calves management on Sundays did not affect body weight (72.3 vs 71.7 kg) and average daily weight gains (479 vs 451 g/animal/day) at six months of age, and average starter intake during the first ten weeks of age (784 vs 732 g/animal/day); (b) the compensation of the amount of milk fed resulted in heavier calves at weaning (63.0 vs 58.2 kg), but not at six month of age (114.3 vs 113.8 kg)
amount of milk; calves; dairy cattle; management
