Manegerial practices related to the power survival of calves in dairy cattle breeding enterpires in hendek district

The concept of calf welfare, which constitutes an important place in dairy cattle breeding, basically means providing better quality and proper care, feeding and housing conditions. Calves are seen to be the future of commercial dairy farms, so providing them with the right welfare practices increases the opportunity for the farms to achieve the goal of sustainability, as well as providing healthier and more economical production. This research was conducted out to determine the knowledge, ideas and behaviors related to the managerial practices of calf's survival in dairy cattle farms in Hendek district of Sakarya province, and to analyze the status of the existing farms. In the research, were identified farms which are registered to Turkvet and e-breeding system database having 10 cattle and more dairy cattle in Hendek district. Random sampling method was used to determine the sample size. Sample size to be selected from 593 enterprises in Hendek district was calculated as 160. The identified enterprises are divided into 5 ranks which are 10-20 heads, 21-30 heads, 31-40 heads, 41-50 heads and over 50 heads of cattle. Breeders were taken part voluntarily in the survey consisting of 51 questions under 5 main headings. In this context, after obtaining general data about the farms, questions related to the main topics about the care and management of calves such as colostrum use, feeding practices, health protection and housing were evaluated. The result stands out that different care and management practices were followed in newborn calves according to their size. Colostrum consumption, which is vital for the newborn calves, is one of the most important issues for the existing farms emphasize with precision. in the research, 10-20 head capacity farms (%60,9), calves were held with their mothers for colostrum consumption in the first time while 50 head and over capacity farms (%93,7),allow the calf to take colostrum at the first just 4 hours. The amount of colostrum given to the calves those held with their mothers at the first feeding was found to be independent (58%) while those who fed just first 4 hr the amount of colostrum fed by them was 3 liters (60%). As the farm capacity increases, the awareness of the importance of colostrum increases. In the study, diarrhea incidences were observed to be higher than 40% in the farms. It is seen that there is not much effect in increase of farm capacity on sick calf cases. 40 head and below farms participated in the study, more than 60% of the calves are housed in groups, and 40 head and above in farms 60% are housed inside or outside in individual compartments. In this respect, it has been concluded that large capacity commercial farms stand out especially in terms of hosting and calf welfare. Although there are promising practices in general, it has been concluded that there are managerial deficiencies in improving calves' survival and this situation negatively affects calf welfare.