2.3. Calf Performance

After the cold challenge, calves were individually housed outside (average temperature 26.8 ± 5.9 °C) in wood shelters distributed in a grassy field with free access to water and a pelleted commercial starter concentrate (21.71% CP; 4.46% Fat, 71.11% TDN; Agroceres Multimix, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil). Calves received 6 L/d of milk replacer diluted to 12.5% of solids (19.25% CP and 16.16% Fat on DM basis; Sucelac, Agroceres, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil), split into 2 feedings (0700 and 1700 h), until the eighth week of age when the study finished. The pelleted commercial starter was fed ad libitum every morning, and refusals were weighed to monitor daily intake. Milk replacer intake was also daily recorded. Animals were weighed weekly before morning milk supply using a mechanical scale (ICS-300, Coimma Ltd.a., Dracena, SP, Brazil), and withers height, heart girth, and hip-width were also measured. The withers height and hip-width were measured using a stick with a cm-scale (ruler), and the heart girth using a measuring tape. Every morning, fecal scores were recorded by a single observer using a scale from 0 to 3 (Available online: http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/dms/fapm/fapmtools/8calf/calf_health_scoring_chart.pdf, accessed at 10 October 2015) according to the fluidity as (0) normal; (1) semi-formed, pasty; (2) loose, but stays on top of bedding; (3) watery, sifts through bedding. Weekly averages of scores were generated per calf for statistical analysis. Calves given a fecal score ≥ of 2 were considered to have diarrhea. When diarrhea was diagnosed, an oral electrolyte solution was offered, 2 h after milk feeding. Calves’ rectal temperature was measured daily, always after feeding. The animals were followed until 56 days of age, after that the gradual weaning process started. Data regarding the weaning period was not considered in the present study.