Anaerobically fermented colostrum: an alternative for feeding calves

Milk or commercial milk replacer blends are the most expensive components in final costs of calves breeding. Colostrum is available and it is the appropriate sources for calves' nutrition, being an excellent option as milk substitute. Besides having both nutritional and immunological characteristics that are superior to milk, colostrum represents no costs to the producer. However, difficulties in preservation of colostrum generate controversy results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anaerobically fermented colostrum (colostrum silage) as liquid diet for dairy calves. We evaluated the microbiological and physicochemical properties of silage, and performance of 31 animals up to 60 days age. From 21 days until 360 days of fermentation we isolated only bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus spp. The physicochemical evaluation of colostrum silage revealed a tendency to maintain the protein, dry matter and fat values during the evaluation period. The average weight gain of calves fed with milk was 0.6kg day-1 for female and 0.6g day-1 for males while those fed with colostrum silage was significantly higher (P<0.05) with a mean of 0.7kg day-1 for female and 0.7kg day-1 for males. The results of this study demonstrated that colostrum silage keeps the properties necessary for the development of the calves and is a suitable replacement for calves' milk.

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Performance and behavior of dairy calves fed diets containing milk and citric flavor agents

Ciência e Agrotecnologia ◽

10.1590/s1413-70542007000300041 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 889-895 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Silvane Barcelos Carlotto ◽

Clair Jorge Olivo ◽

Julio Viégas ◽

David Arthur Stiles ◽

Alexandre Mossate Gabbi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Behavior ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Block Design ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Average Weight ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Holstein Breed ◽

Abdominal Perimeter

While young ruminants prefer milk aroma and researches about this theme are being developed, the use of citric aroma, very appetized for older ruminants, are low utilized to young animals. This work aims to compare the influence of milk and citric flavor agents on the diets of nursing dairy calves. In this trial, 12 animals of Holstein breed were distributed in a randomized block design with four treatments (concentrate without flavor agent, concentrate with milk flavor or citrus flavor, and concentrate with milk plus citrus flavor agent) and three repetitions. The parameters evaluated were: concentrate dry matter intake (CDMI), hay dry matter (HDMI), milk dry matter intake (MDMI) and total dry matter intake (TDMI), average weight gain (ADWG), feed conversion (FC), initial (IBW) and final body weight (FBW), initial thoracic perimeter (ITP) and final thoracic perimeter (FTP), initial abdominal perimeter (IAP) and final abdominal perimeter (FAP), initial withers height (IWH) and final withers height (FWH) and animal behavior. The CDMI, HDMI and TDMI, as well as IBW, FBW, ITP, FTP, IAP, FAP, IWH and FWH did not show differences (P>0.05). The averages daily gain and feed conversion showed no differences, with means of 0.55 kg/animal and 2.09, respectively. The diets did not affect animal behavior parameters (P>0.05).

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Passive transfer of immunity in dairy calves with additional consumption of immunoglobulin through colostrum supplement: effects in health and performance

Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal ◽

10.1590/s1519-9940200242019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Marília Ribeiro De Paula ◽

Giovana Simão Slanzon ◽

Natália Sobreira ◽

Carla Maris Machado Bittar

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Passive Transfer ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

High Quality ◽

Immune Globulins ◽

And Performance

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of additional consumption of immuneglobulins associated with high quality colostrum in health and performance of dairy calves. After birth, 80 females were randomly assigned to two treatments: MC) high quality colostrum, supplied in a volume corresponding to 15% of birth weight; and MC+S) high quality colostrum (15% of birth weight) + colostrum supplement. Blood parameters were not affected by the additional supply of immune globulins (Ig) by colostrum supplement feeding. The concentrate and total dry matter intakes were not affected by the administration of colostrum supplementation. The additional intake of Ig through the colostrum supplement did not affect the performance or feed efficiency of calves; however, animals doubled their birth weight at the end of the period, as occurred with MC fed calves. Regarding the health, additional supply of Ig did not affect the number of days with diarrhea, days with fever or medicated days. The additional intake of Ig via colostrum supplement in combination with high quality maternal colostrum have not improved immunity or affected the performance and health of dairy calves.

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Milk-fed calves: 5. The effect of a change in milk intake upon the herbage intake and performance of grazing calves

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600062985 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 92 (2) ◽

pp. 443-447 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Y. L. P. Le Du ◽

R. D. Baker

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Live Weight ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Herbage Intake ◽

Milk Substitute ◽

Metabolizable Energy Intake ◽

And Performance ◽

Reconstituted Milk

SummaryThe effect of the amount of milk consumed upon the herbage intake and performance of calves at pasture, following a standard rearing period, was investigated using 50 Hereford × Friesian calves purchased at 10–12 days ofage. All calves were offered 6 kg reconstituted milk substitute for a 58 day period indoors and for a subsequent 31 days at pasture. Ten calves were then allocated to each of five milk treatments (0, 2, 4, 6, 10 kg/day) and grazed for a further 63 days. The calves were offered a daily herbage allowance of 60 g dry matter/kg live weight.Daily weight gain was increased by 59 g for each additional kilogramme of reconstituted milk consumed, and herbage intake per unit live weight decreased by 1–24 g/g milk organic matter consumed, equivalent to a reduction in metabolizable energy intake of 9 kJ. Clear effects of both age and diet upon the consumption of herbage were demonstrated. An explanation of the mechanisms governing intake of herbage in milk–fed calves is offered.

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COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF DARK AND YELLOW RAPESEED HULLS, SOYBEAN HULLS AND A PURIFIED FIBER SOURCE ON GROWTH, FEED CONSUMPTION AND DIGESTIBILITY OF DIETARY COMPONENTS IN STARTER PIGS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas85-025 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 231-237

Author(s):

B. N. MITARU ◽

R. BLAIR

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Protein Digestibility ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Average Weight ◽

Soybean Hulls ◽

Soybean Hull ◽

Dietary Components ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

Average Weight Gain ◽

Matter Energy

A trial involving a total of 56 weanling pigs was conducted to investigate the effects of including dark (Tower) and yellow (R500) rapeseed hulls, soybean hulls and a purified fiber source (Celufil) as 10% of the diets of starter pigs. The animals were offered the experimental diets from 5 to 9 wk of age. The pigs fed on the R500 hull diet had lower (P < 0.05) average weight gain (273 g/day) and feed consumption (481 g/day) values than those fed the other diets, which ranged from 400 to 466 g/day and from 755 to 882 g/day, respectively. The feed efficiency (gain:feed) values were similar for all dietary treatments with values ranging from 0.53 to 0.57. The lower feed consumption observed for the R500 hull diet was suspected to be due to poor palatability of these hulls probably caused by some hydrolytic products of glucosinolates. The dry matter, energy and protein digestibility coefficients for both rapeseed hull diets were similar. The R500 rapeseed hull diet had higher (P < 0.05) digestibility values for dry matter, energy and protein than the soybean hull diet while the Tower rapeseed and soybean hull diets had similar digestibility values for these components. The Celufil diet had similar dry matter and energy digestibility values with the SBH diet but the protein digestibility value for Celufil was higher (P < 0.05) than that of the soybean hull diet and similar to those of the rapeseed hull diets. The crude fiber digestibility values were similar for all diets. Key words: Dark and yellow rapeseed, hulls, fiber, growth performance, digestibility, swine

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Voluntary intake, health and performance of lactating ewes fed on turnips with or without straw supplement

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100017955 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 241-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. Valderrábano ◽

J. Uriarte ◽

F. Muñoz

Keyword(s):

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Control Diet ◽

Barley Straw ◽

Average Weight ◽

Weight Losses ◽

Proportional Increase ◽

And Performance ◽

Blood Characteristics ◽

Daily Intakes ◽

Average Weight Gain

ABSTRACTThe effect of cereal straw supplement on turnip diets has been studied in Romanov × Rasa Aragonesa ewes in early lactation. Measurements were made of level of intake, blood characteristics and performance under pen-fed and grazing conditions. Barley straw supplementation resulted in a proportional increase of 0·1 in turnip intake to give daily intakes of 82 and 94 g organic matter per kg M0·75 for pen-fed and grazing ewes respectively.Ewes fed on turnips showed a significant decrease in red blood cell numbers, haemoglobin and packed cell volumes though remaining within the range considered as normal for this species. Heinz bodies were present in proportionately up to 0·25 of erythrocytes and no clinical symptoms were observed.The average weight gain of lambs reared by the grazing ewes was 173 g/day. However, growth rates of lambs and weight losses of ewes on turnip diets were lower than expected from the performance of animals on a control diet based on barley, lucerne and straw.

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Genetic divergence between genotypes for male and female broilers

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/0103-8478cr20141466 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 554-559

Author(s):

Rogério de Carvalho Veloso ◽

Talita Andrade Ferreira ◽

Larissa Kretli Winkelstroter ◽

Maria Teresa Polcaro Silva ◽

Aldrin Vieira Pires ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Divergence ◽

Average Weight ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Linear Discriminant ◽

Daily Average ◽

Canonical Variables ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

And Performance ◽

Intersection Test ◽

Average Weight Gain

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to verify the genetic divergence amongst three broiler genotype, from both sexes, by means of a multivariate performance analysis and carcass traits. Nine hundred and ninety sexed, one-day chicks were utilized; belonged to the following genetic groups: Cobb 500, Hubbard Flex, and Ross 308. The study evaluated the daily average weight gain, the daily average ration consumption, feed conversion, body weight, weight and performance for breast, and carcass over the period from 1 to 35, and from 1 to 42 days of age. Performance of the genetic groups was evaluated by means of multivariate analysis of variance and by Fisher's linear discriminant function, using Roy's largest eigenvalue and Roy's union-intersection test for multiple comparisons. The genetic divergence study was carried out through the analysis of canonical variables and through Tocher method. Female animals from Cobb 500, Hubbard Flex, and Ross 308 genetic groups presented different canonical averages from males of the same groups. First two canonical variables explained 88.10% of variation between genetic groups. Genetic divergence between the evaluated groups allowed formation of two clusters with the following genotypes: Cluster 1 - Cobb 500, Hubbard Flex and Ross 308 females; Cluster 2 - Cobb 500, Hubbard Flex and Ross 308 males.

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A comparison between an early weaning and a more conventional system of rearing dairy calves

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100033158 ◽

1959 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 31-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

M. E. Castle ◽

J. N. Watson

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Live Weight ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Conventional System ◽

Early Weaning ◽

Live Weight Gain ◽

Milk Substitute ◽

Unlimited Access

1. Two groups of 12 Ayrshire heifer calves were reared from birth to 14 weeks on two contrasting systems.2. The conventionally reared group consumed 19 gal. of milk, 86 gal. of milk substitute and 195 lb. of calf meal (17·0% crude protein in dry matter) in 14 weeks whereas the early-weaned animals consumed 5 gal. of milk, 19 gal. of milk substitute and 259 lb. of early-weaning cubes (22·7% crude protein in dry matter) in the same period and were weaned from milk substitute at 5 weeks old. All the calves had unlimited access to dried grass (12·0% crude protein in dry matter).3. The mean live-weight gain of the calves on the conventional system was 1·26 lb./day and of the early-weaned animals, 1·20 lb./day. These values were not significantly different.4. None of the experimental calves had bloat or indigestion and there was only one minor outbreak of scour.5. At the present day prices of the foods, the early-weaning system was the cheaper system both per day and per pound of live-weight gain.

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Evaluation of covering materials in individual shelters and its effects on physiological responses and performance of dairy calves

Engenharia Agrícola ◽

10.1590/s0100-69162012000600005 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 1041-1047 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Patrícia C. de F Fonseca ◽

Eduardo A. de Almeida ◽

Roberta Passini

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Tropical Regions ◽

Asbestos Cement ◽

And Performance ◽

Materials Used

In Tropical regions, the animal performance is often affected by climate conditions. This study aimed to evaluate covering materials in individual shelters, normally used to house dairy calves, and its influence on the calves physiology and performance. The design used was completely randomized, with a 2x3 factorial arrangement to compare the averages of 5% through the Tukey's test, i.e., both genders- and three types of covering in the shelters (Z - zinc; AC - asbestos cement; and WPAC - white-painted asbestos cement). Parameters evaluated included daily weight gain (DWG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed conversion (FC), rectal temperature (RT), and respiratory frequency (RF). Results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among males (1.04kg/day) and females (0.74kg/day) for DWG and interaction between gender and treatment (P < 0.05) for zinc covering (0.562kg/day for females and 1.120kg/day for males). Significant differences were also observed in FI of animals housed under shelters with the covering of zinc (48.35kgDM/day for females and 96.91 kgDM/day for males). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the FC and the RT, and there were significant differences (P < 0.05) for RF in the Z treatments (56.9 mov.min-1), WPAC (62.2 mov.min-1) and FC (70.25 mov.min-1). It was concluded that different covering materials did not affect performance and dry matter intake of dairy calves. However, the animals' physiology of thermoregulation was altered by the different covering materials used in individual shelters.

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Coccidiosis and performance in broilers with anticoccidial medicated feed starting at different ages

Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/s0102-09352000000200010 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 144-149

Author(s):

C.A.F. Costa ◽

A.L. Guidoni ◽

D.P. Paiva ◽

V.S. Ávila

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Average Weight ◽

Broiler Performance ◽

Eimeria Acervulina ◽

Different Ages ◽

And Performance ◽

Average Weight Gain

The effects of age, litter reutilization, and anticoccidial programs were studied in broilers. The oocyst counts increased with litter reutilization up to third use, and T1 (no anticoccidial drug over the entire 42-day-period) and T4 (anticoccidial medication starting from the first day) showed the highest counts. The scores for Eimeria acervulina increased up to third use of litter and declined by the fourth use. The scores for E. maxima increased from first to second litter use, and from this to third and fourth use. The scores for E. tenella increased from first and second litter use to third litter use, and declined on fourth use. With high coccidial contamination, as in third use litter, the anticoccidial medication starting from the 1st, 7th (T3) and 14th (T2) day of age presented similar results of lesion scores and average weight gain. When coccidial contamination was low or moderate, as in first, second and fourth use litter, the anticoccidial medication starting at 14 days of age tended to result in a better broiler performance. These data suggest that, with low coccidial challenge, as in broilers raised in first use litter and in farms with single bird age, the delayed anticoccidial medication may provide advantages over the full medication starting from the first day of age.

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