Factors affecting birth weight and growth rate in Friesian X Bunaji calves

Calving records from 1984 - 1989 were studied to determine the influence of rearing method, sex of calf, season of birth, dam breed and year· of birth on body weight at birth, 3, 6 and 12 months of age in Friesian x Bunaji calves. The mean weights of calves at birth, 3, 6 and 12 months of age were 22.0, 68.2, 96.7 and 137.4 kg, respectively. Sex of calf had a significant effect, with male calves being heavier than the females by 1.2, 5.9 and 9.7 kg at birth, 3 and 6 months of age respectively. The effect of season of birth on calf body weights was not significant except at 6 months of age, when calves horn during the wet season were heavier (P<0.01) than those born . in the harmattan period by 9.5 kg. Year of birth had a highly significant effect (P