Effects of Feeding Levels of Starter on Weaning Age, Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Health Parameters in Holstein Dairy Calves

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of feeding four different levels of starter in male Holstein dairy calves, a completely randomized study was conducted, using 28 calves with initial body weight of 40.5±2.4 kg. The animals were fed iso-nitrogenous starter and were weaned when they consumed 350, 500, 650 and 800 g/d of starter for 3 d consecutively. Starter and water were available ad-libitum throughout the experiment. Body weight at pre-weaning (less than 5 wk) and post-weaning (8 wk) was lower in calves that received 350 g/d of starter than in the other treatments (p<0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was the highest among all treatments in pre-weaning period (p<0.05). Dry matter intake (DMI) at weaning and total DMI was higher in that calves received 800 g/d of starter compared with other treatments (p<0.05). Calves fed 350 and 500 g/d of starter were weaned earlier (p<0.05) and showed lower milk consumption (kg, DM) compared with other treatments whereas no significant difference was observed between calves fed 350 and 500 g/d of starter (p>0.05). Dry matter, organic matter and crude protein digestibilities were lower in calves that received 350 g/d of starter compared with other treatments (p<0.05). No differences were observed in acid detergent and neutral detergent fiber digestibility among all treatments (p>0.05).Treatments had no significant effect on time of starting rumination, respiratory score, and days of drug administration for pneumonia. There were no meaningful differences in feces, fecal odor scores, body temperature, and days of drug administration for diarrhea among all treatments (p>0.05). Total dry matter intake at the end of experiment showed no significant difference among calves fed 600 and 800 g/d of starter, but calves fed 350 and 500 g/d of starter showed more dry matter (DM) intake than calves in the 600 and 800 g/d groups (p<0.05).

Behavioral and physiological changes during heat stress in Corriedale ewes exposed to water deprivation

“…Respiratory rate was defined according to Silanikove [9]; low: 40–60 breaths/min; medium high: 60 to 80 breaths/min; high: 80 to 120 breaths/min and severe heat stress: above 200 breaths/min. Respiratory scoring was done twice daily in the morning between 10:00 to 12:00 and in the afternoon between 14:00 and 16:00 using a scale of 1 = normal, 2 = slight cough, 3 = moderate cough, 4 = moderate to severe cough, and 5 = severe and chronic cough [10, 11]. Fecal scores were assigned for each sheep twice daily at 10:30 and 15:30 using a 5-point scale.…”

“…Heart rate was measured using a veterinary stethoscope twice daily during the last 7 days (measurement period). Panting score was calculated based on the scale of 0 to 4 where: 0 = no panting, 1 = Slight panting, mouth closed, 2 = Fast panting, occasional open mouth, 3 = Open mouth and some drooling, 4 = Open mouth, tongue out and drooling [10, 11]. …”

Effects of forage ensiling and ration fermentation on total mixed ration pH, ruminal fermentation and performance of growing Holstein‐Zebu cross steers

“…After 150 days on trial fecal samples were collected from each steer for 5 days, approximately 0, 4, 8 and 12 h after feed delivery, to evaluate nutrient digestibility (Nejad et al . ). Nutrient digestibility was measured using acid insoluble ash as an internal marker (Lee & Hristov ).…”

“…Feed consumption was recorded daily and feed conversion was estimated by the ratio of the average daily gain and DMI (kg/day; Silva et al 2015). After 150 days on trial fecal samples were collected from each steer for 5 days, approximately 0, 4, 8 and 12 h after feed delivery, to evaluate nutrient digestibility (Nejad et al 2013). Nutrient digestibility was measured using acid insoluble ash as an internal marker (Lee & Hristov 2013).…”

Effects of Flooring Types on Growth Performance, Behaviour and Health of Dairy Calves

“…Its diagnosis can be made by observing the consistency of faeces. For this purpose, the faecal consistency score reported by Larson et al (1977) was used commonly in many studies including the current study (Ayyilmaz and Uzmay, 2010, Yanar et al, 2010, Ghassemi Nejad et al, 2013Kaygisiz ve Sonmez, 2018).…”