Nursing habits of Chinampo cattle (Bos taurus) from México

Objective. To determine the nursing habits of Chinampo calves (Bos taurus) during different stages of lactation. Materials and methods. Twenty cows with their calves were used. The animals were observed from day 30 to 180 of lactation during 24 continuous hours each month, recording the frequency with which the calves nursed and the duration of each nursing. A linear model was used and correlations between age, weight of calves and milk production of cows, with the frequency and duration of nursing have been established. The means were compared by Tukey test. Results. The calves nursed with higher frequency between 06:00 and 07:00; other peaks were observed at 10:00 and at 19:00 hours. The average frequency of nursing in 24 hours was 4.9±0.21 using a total of 66.9±3.1 minutes. The calves of 180 days of age nursed fewer times with respect to those of ages below 150 days; the duration of nursing decreased at 180 days of age (p<0.05). The females nursed with more frequency than the males (p<0.05), but the time they occupied for this activity was similar between males and females (p>0.05). Conclusions. The frequency of nursing is higher during the first morning and late afternoon hours. Up until 5 months of age the frequency and time of nursing did not vary, but were reduced at 180 days. The females nursed with more periodicity than the males.