TY - THES A1 - Galesloot, Ben T1 - Comparative Analysis of Dry and Wet Total Mixed Ration Uptake in Calves: A Study on Feed Intake, Growth, and Health Parameters N2 - This study investigates the effects of dry and wet Total Mixed Ration (TMR) restrictive feeding on the feed intake, growth, and health parameters of Holstein Friesian (Bostaurus) calves. Conducted on a commercial dairy farm in Bedburg-Hau, Germany, the research involved 40 calves divided into eight groups (n1, 2 = 14, n3, 4 = 6, and n5, 6, 7, 8 = 20) with dry TMR provided to odd-numbered groups and wet TMR to even-numberedgroups. The experiment monitored daily feed intake and health parameters from birth to at least six weeks of age for heifer calves from two groups and from birth to three weeks of age from further two groups, and from birth to four weeks for bull calves, alongside weekly assessments of growth progression. T-test results did not reveal significant differences among the examined parameters when various groups were compared head-to-head. However, observable differences were noted, specifically in the amount of feed intake during the first few weeks, where calves fed dry TMR showed increased feed intake. Additionally, calves fed dry TMR exhibited less susceptibility to digestive disorders and a subsequent need for clinical treatment. Regarding sustainability, dry TMR showed advantages in ease of handling and storage, reducing time investment and feed waste. Wet TMR showed advantages in palatability and feed intake nearing the 5-week mark of the calves’ age. However, wet TMR posed challenges, in terms of time required for its preparation. These findings provide insights into optimizing calf nutrition, promoting sustainable dairy farming practices, and addressing the challenges of different feed alternatives. Y1 - 2024 ER -