Estudo da habilidade materna em vacas mestiças criadas no município de Santana do Livramento - RS

Abstract

In cattle, as well as in other mammals, the relationship between mother and calf begins very early, and the knowledge of patterns of maternal behavior-branch postnatal lets make a management that meets the needs of animals and avoid mistakes that could result in economic losses. To determine behavioral parameters determining the ratio of maternal-filial calves and cows peripartum and transfer of immunity to the newborns were observed 32 deliveries in which 65.63% of cows are also expressing confidence in calving, 84.32% remained lying throughout the fetus expulsion period and the first contact between mother and newborn immediately occurred in 78.12% of them. Soon after delivery, 19.35% of cows have not approached her calf, while 67.74% expressed attitudes of caring for your newborn. As for the neonate, 62.5% remained in sternal recumbency after birth, with an average time to get up and follow their mothers of 7.94 minutes. The calves were born on average 30.60±3.62kg. The density average was 34,38±6,57mg/ml, while the fat concentration average was 3.66±1.63%. The colostrums density average was 34.38. Fat concentration was significantly affected by the number of deliveries, however did not vary according to age of cows. The concentration of immunoglobulins in serum of neonates was significantly affected by duration of breast feeding 9.02 kg.± 10.61 kg. After 50 days the calves had 75.85±10.61kg in average, and this represent a 46.6±9.02kg weight gain per day in average. Based on these data we concluded that the cows had good mothering abilities.