Effect of Infrared Lamps to Ameliorate Morbidity and Mortality in Vrindavani Calves

The present study was carried out to determine the effect of Infrared lamps to ameliorate morbidity and mortality in Vrindavani calves. Ten newborn calves were randomly divided into two groups (G₁ and G₂) of five each. The calves of G₁ were provided with no additional protection; however calves of G₂ were protected against cold weather by using the Infrared lamps. The health status of calves was monitored daily both in the morning and evening. The blood samples collected within six hours of birth and then at fortnightly interval were analyzed for total leukocyte count (TLC, thousands/μl) and differential leukocyte count (DLC). The physiological parameters i.e. respiration rate (RR, breaths/min), heart rate (HR, beats/min) and rectal temperature (RT,°F) were recorded at weekly interval. The health performance was better in calves of G₂ as compared to G₁. The calves in G₁ showed comparatively higher values of TLC and neutrophils and the differences were found significant (P<0.05) on 15^th day for TLC and 15^th and 45^th day for neutrophils. The values of lymphocytes were found significantly (P<0.05) lower in calves of G₁ than G₂ on 15^th and 45^th day.The physiological parameters did not varied significantly between the groups except for RT which was most of the times significantly (P<0.05) lower in calves of G₁ than G₂. On the basis of the results, it could be concluded that the Infrared lamps are efficient in providing favourable microclimate and hence can be effectively used in calf shed to protect newborn calves from adverse conditions of winter.