Effects of introducing weaned heifers to freestall housing on growth performance and behavior

This study evaluated the effects of two housing types (freestalls vs. bedded-pack) on growth performance and behavior of weaned heifers, with no previous experience with freestalls. Heifers (12 heifers/ treatment) were randomly assigned to each treatment at d 80 ± 3 of age. Heifers had free access to diets and water throughout the experiment. The ADG, structural growth, and final body weight were not affected by the housing type. Also, there was no difference in overall DMI between treatments, but the freestall-housed heifers had greater DMI than those housed in bedded-pack during the last 5 d of the study. There were no differences in any behavioral patterns of drinking, standing, and lying time between heifers housed in freestalls than those housed in bedded-pack. The lengths of rumination bouts were less for freestall-housed heifers than those housed in bedded-pack on day 110. Heifers spent less time lying in the freestalls on day 85 compared to day 110 when they get accustomed to using freestall housing. In summary, our results indicate that the growth performance of weaned heifers were not affected by housing type; however, housing heifers in fresstalls can prepare them for using the freestalls facility for a short period.