Several behavioral indicators coincided with improved
intake. During the week of weaning, 8WW
calves spent 4 times the amount of time ruminating
than 6WW calves. The 8WW calves spent more time
eating straw during the week of weaning and tended to
spend more time eating starter during the week before
step down and the week after weaning. These results
are consistent with the greater amount of starter and
straw eaten by 8WW calves and align with Worobec
et al. (1999), who found that greater age at weaning
increased time spent eating solid feed in piglets.