scholarly journals Effect of the Initial Time of Providing Oat Hay on Performance, Health, Behavior and Rumen Fermentation in Holstein Female Calves

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 862
Author(s):  
Tianyu Chen ◽  
Jianxin Xiao ◽  
Tingting Li ◽  
Jing Ma ◽  
Gibson Maswayi Alugongo ◽  
...  

For determining the appropriate time of feeding hay, 210 healthy Holstein calves at day two were randomly divided into three groups: basic diet (calf starter) without hay (CON), and the inclusion of oat hay from the second week (H2) or fourth week (H4) with basic diet. Calves were weaned on day 56 and raised until day 70. Calf starter intake and fecal scores were recorded daily. The body weight, body size, and rumen fluid samples were collected every two weeks before and once a week after weaning. Compared to the basic diet group, the calves that were receiving oat hay from the second week had the highest starter intake (1086.1 g vs. 925.6 g; p < 0.05), body weight (68.4 kg vs. 63.0 kg; p < 0.01) and average daily gain (0.84 kg/d vs. 0.73 kg/d; p < 0.01) throughout the trial period. Compared to H4, calves received oat hay from the second week reduced the frequency (1.48% vs. 3.57%; p < 0.05) and duration of diarrhea (0.21 days vs. 0.50 days; p < 0.05) during post-weaning. Compared to the CON calves, the inclusion of oat hay from the second week increased the ruminal pH (6.38 vs. 6.19; p < 0.01) during the entire trial and increased the acetate (49.07% vs. 44.44%; p < 0.05) during post-weaning. Compared to the basic diet group, calves in H2 treatment spent more time in rumination (275.2 min/day vs. 133.3 min/day; p < 0.01) but less time in abnormal behaviors (80.5 min/day vs. 207.0 min/day; p < 0.01). In conclusion, calves supplemented with oat hay had an improved growth rate and rumen environment compared to calves fed calf starter only.

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 173-174
Author(s):  
Tianyu Chen ◽  
Jianxin Xiao ◽  
Tingting Li ◽  
Jing Ma ◽  
Zhijun Cao

Abstract To determine the appropriate time to feed hay to calves, 210 healthy Holstein calves at d 2 were randomly divided into 3 groups: feeding basic diet (starter) without hay (CON), inclusion of oat hay from the second week (H2) or fourth week (H4) in addition to the basic diet. All calves were weaned on d 56 and raised in the same hutches until the end of the experiment (d 70). Calf starter intake and fecal score were recorded daily throughout the experimental period. Body weight, body size, blood and rumen fluid samples were collected every 2 weeks before weaning and once a week after weaning. Inclusion of oat hay in the basic diet (H2 and H4) resulted in increased body weight (P &lt; 0.01) and average daily gain (P &lt; 0.01) throughout the experiment when compared to the basic diet (CON) only. Calves fed oat hay from 2 weeks of life had the highest starter intake (P &lt; 0.01), average daily gain (P &lt; 0.01) in the pre- and post-weaning periods. Body length and heart girth was similar between treatments. The H2 calves had lower diarrhea frequency (P &lt; 0.05) and diarrhea days (P &lt; 0.05) during the post-weaning period. Compared to the CON calves, inclusion of hay increased the rumen pH (P &lt; 0.01), while decreasing the NH3-N (P &lt; 0.01) and tend to decrease the total VFA (P &lt; 0.06) during the entire trial. Calves in H2 treatment spent more time ruminating (P &lt; 0.01), but less time standing (P &lt; 0.05), eating starter (P &lt; 0.01) and engaging in abnormal behaviors (P &lt; 0.01). In conclusion, calves supplemented with oat hay improved growth rate and rumen fermentation when compared with calves fed only starter, and adding hay from 2 weeks of calves life may be the best choice for the farm to have the greatest growth and health performance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 417-418
Author(s):  
David M Crawford ◽  
Joshua C McCann

Abstract The objective was to compare the effect of corn type and tylosin inclusion on heifer growth performance, liver function, and carcass characteristics. Angus and Simmental × Angus heifers (n = 120; 188 ± 2.6 kg) were blocked by initial body weight (BW) and alloted to 8 pens. Pens were randomly assigned on d 0 to either be fed tylosin (T+) or no tylosin (T-). Heifers were adapted to the finishing diets utilizing a common adaptation proccess over 35 d. On d 36, pens were then assigned to a high moisture corn-based diet (HMC) or a dry-rolled corn-based diet (DRC) to achieve a 2 × 2 factorial design. Body weight was recorded and blood was collected on d 0, 35, and approximately every 28 d following. Rumen fluid and fecal grab samples were collected on a subset (n = 48) every 56 d. Treatment did not affect BW (P ≥ 0.14) or overall average daily gain (P ≥ 0.65) throughout the trial. No differences (P ≥ 0.21) were observed in overall dry matter intake. There was a diet × tylosin inclusion effect (P = 0.02) for estimated starch digestibility to be greatest for HMC/T+ heifers. On d 252, HMC heifers had greater (P = 0.03) ruminal pH before feeding compared to DRC. Heifers fed DRC/T- had the greatest (P = 0.01) blood urea nitrogen concentrations of all treatments. Aspertate aminotransferase was greater in T+ heifers compared with T- (P &lt; 0.01). Heifers fed HMC had a larger (P = 0.04) longissimus muscle area than heifers fed DRC. Heifers fed HMC T+ had the most (P = 0.04) desireable yield grade. Although corn type and tylosin inclusion did not affect growth performance, corn type may affect starch digestibility, ruminal pH and blood markers of liver function.


Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 890
Author(s):  
Jianxin Xiao ◽  
Tianyu Chen ◽  
Gibson Maswayi Alugongo ◽  
Muhammad Zahoor Khan ◽  
Tingting Li ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the length of oat hay on the performance, health, behavior, and rumen fermentation of dairy calves. For this purpose, two hundred and ten healthy two-day-old Holstein dairy calves were randomly allocated into three groups: basic diet (calf starter) without hay (CON), or a basic diet with oat hay at either long (OL: 10–12 cm) or short (OS: 3–5 cm) length cut. The basic diet was fed from day 4, while the hay was offered from day 14. All calves were weaned at day 56 and remained in their individual hutches till the end of the trial (day 70). Calf starter intake and fecal scores were recorded daily. Bodyweight, body size, and rumen fluid samples were collected biweekly before weaning and weekly after weaning. Overall, providing oat hay (OS and OL) in the diet increased the body weight, starter intake, and average daily gain compared to the CON group. Similarly, feeding oat hay improved rumen fermentation. More specifically, hay enhanced the rumen pH and changed the rumen fermentation type. Hay fed calves spent more time on rumination but less time performing abnormal behaviors compared to control. As it can be concluded, feeding oat hay to calves enhances the growth performance, rumen fermentation, and normal calf behaviors, implying improved animal welfare irrespective of the hay length.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 37-40
Author(s):  
Псхациева ◽  
Zemfira Pskhatsieva

The purpose of research is increase in economically useful qualities of piglets weaned with co-feeding of the sorbent Kovelos-Sorb and probiotic Sporotermin. Weanling piglets produced in 2 months of age. Duration of the experiment was 60 days, on reaching the age of 120 days. The first control group received a basic diet, the second experimental group – the basic diet and probiotic Sporotermin in the amount of 0.1% by weight of the feed, the third experimental group – the basic diet and sorbent Kovelos-Sorb in the amount of 0.1% by weight of the feed, the fourth test group – the basic diet, Sporotermin 0.1 by weight of the feed and Kovelos-Sorb 0.1% by weight of the feed. The studies found that the body weight of piglets at the age of 120 days in the second, third and fourth groups were higher by 4.1; 6.6 and 10.9%, respectively, relative to the first live weight of pigs group. It has also been found to increase average daily gain of 7.1; 11.7 and 19.4%, respectively, relative growth of the first group of piglets. Feed costs decreased by 3.7-16.3% in the experimental group, fed by the sorbent and the probiotic and probiotic sorbent together. With increasing body weight, the increase and feed decrease, there was an increase of beef entering the 0.4-1.6% relative to slaughter pigs release of the first group. Based on these data, we recommend the combined using of probiotic Sporoderm and sorbent Cavelos-Sorb, respectively, in the amount of 0.1% by weight of the feed for piglets-weaned at 2 months of age.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 193-195
Author(s):  
Vetriselvi Sampath ◽  
Hyun Ju Park ◽  
Yong min Kim ◽  
Je Min Ahn ◽  
Inho Kim

Abstract BACKGROUND: A total of one hundred and forty, 28 d-old weaner pigs [Duroc x (Yorkshire x Landrace)] with initial body weight (BW) of 6.56±1.25kg were used in a six-week treatment (7 replicate pens per treatment; barrows, and 2 gilts/pen) to evaluate the effect of low nutrient density diet supplement with probiotic mixture supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial, and gas emission of weaner pigs. RESULTS: Pigs fed low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation had linearly increased (P = 0.028, 0.014) the body weight (BW) at weeks 3, and 6. Moreover, average daily gain (ADG) was linearly improved (P=0.018, 0.014, 0.014) at week 3, 6, and overall experiment. However, there were no interactive effects found on the nutrient digestibility of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and energy (E) throughout the experiment. Dietary inclusion of low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation has improved the fecal lactobacillus counts linearly, but E. coli was unaffected during the trail. On day 42, Ammonium gas emission was significantly decrease in pigs fed a low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation. However, H2S, acetic acid, and CO2 were not significantly affected by the probiotic mixture supplementation diet. CONCLUSION: Low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation had positively affected the growth performance, fecal microbial, and fecal gas emission on weaner pigs.


2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 1081-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitor Visintin Silva de Almeida ◽  
Augusto César de Queiroz ◽  
Robério Rodrigues Silva ◽  
Fabiano Ferreira da Silva ◽  
Aline Cardoso Oliveira ◽  
...  

This experiment was carried out with the objective of determining the macrominerals (Ca, P, Mg, K and Na) requirements of Nellore steers under grazing. Twenty four Nellore steers (371 ± 14 kg of BW and 26 mo old) were used. Four steers were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment (reference group), serving as a reference in subsequent study. The remaining 20 animals were weighed and distributed into a completely randomized design with four supplementation levels offer: 0.0 (mineral mixture - control), 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9% of BW, with five replications. The supplements, based on ground corn, soybean meal and/or urea, were previously balanced to achieve an average daily gain of 350, 650 and 850g, respectively, for the different supplementation levels offer. The contents of macrominerals retained in the animal body were determined by regression equations of the macrominerals body content logarithm in function of the empty body weight logarithm (EBW). Net macrominerals requirements for a gain of 1kg of EBW were obtained using the equation Y'= b.10ª.Xb-1, with a and b, respectively, the intercept and the regression coefficient of the prediction equations of macrominerals in the animal body contents for each macromineral considered. The concentrations of all macrominerals, in the empty body weight and gain of the empty body weight, decreased with the increase in the body weight. Total calcium and phosphorus dietary requirements are higher than those recommended in the literature.


Rangifer ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Nilsson ◽  
Ö. Danell ◽  
M. Murphy ◽  
K. Olsson ◽  
B. Åhman

The transition from experimentally induced poor nutritional conditions to feeding was studied with 69 eight-month-old female reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). During a pre-experimental period, all reindeer were fed a simulated winter diet with 80% lichens Cladina spp. and 20% Vaccinum myrtillus shrubs and Salix spp. leaves (lichen diet) ad lib. The reindeer were divided into five groups. A control group (group C) was fed the lichen diet ad lib. throughout the experiment. Four groups were fed half of that ration for eight days and were then totally deprived of feed for one day (restriction period). During the following 34 days (feeding period) the groups were re-fed the lichen diet (group L), fed pelleted reindeer feed combined with either lichen (group PL) or grass silage (group PS), or fed silage with a gradually increasing addition of pellets (group SP). Weekly measurements of blood samples and body weighr showed that the control group remained clinically healthy and had stable blood plasma concentrations of protein, urea, glucose and insulin throughout the experiment, but they lost weight. At slaughter, before and after the restriction period, all animals had lost rumen-free body weight, but the reindeer fed a restricted amount of feed lost more than the control group. Also the plasma metabolites were affected by the restricted feeding, with increased concentrations of urea and decreased concentrations of glucose. Group L responded immediately to the ad lib. feeding with blood metabolite levels rapidly approaching those of group C. The body weight developments were similar in groups L and C. Although the feed rations were increased gradually, diarrhoea occurred in some animals belonging to groups PL and PS within the first week of the feeding period. All reindeer recovered, after antibiotic treatment of the worst affected animals. The PL and PS groups, which had high contents of metabolisable energy and crude protein in their diets, showed increased con-centtations of plasma protein, urea and insulin. At the end of the feeding period, these groups had increased their body and carcass weights and gained fat, whereas reindeer fed the lichen diet had lost weight. Severe health problems (malnutrition and so-called wet belly) occurred in group SP during the first weeks of feeding and led to loss of animals, and consequently the SP group was excluded from the remainder of rhe experiment. The general conclusion is that the lichen diet did not cause any digestive problems, but resulted in a continuous decline in body weight and small or deficient fat reserves. After the initial diarrhoea, feeding with diets comprising pellets from the start resulted in improved condition, expressed as increased body weight, fat gain and higher concentrations of plasma protein, urea and insulin in relation to the control group. The diet initially based on grass in the form of silage of the given quality seemed insufficient as feed to reindeer calves in a poor nutritional state.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunasri Usman ◽  
Eka Meutia Sari ◽  
Nuzul Fadilla

The evaluation of the Aceh cattle bulls weight which compensated between forage and concentrate at Superior Livestock Place in IndrapuriABSTRACT. This research was conducted at Superior Livestock Place in Indrapuri District, Aceh Besar  which lasted for 42 days. It was started on November 28th 2012 until January 9th 2013. This research was aims to know about the average daily gain for Aceh cattle bulls which compensated between forage and concentrate by using 12 bulls aged 2-2,5 years old. The design was used a Randomized Design Groups with 4 feed treatments and 3 repetitions. The feed percentages between forage and concentrate are ration A (100% forages), B (80%)forages and 20% concentrates), C (60% forages and 40% concentrates), and D (40% forages and 60% concentrates). The research analysis data were obtained by using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). The parameters which observed in this study was the average daily gain, consumption, conversion, and efficiency rations. The result showed that the ration dry matter intake highly significantly (P0,01) between treatment A (4,45 Kg), and B (3,61 Kg), C (2,72 Kg), and D (3,38 Kg), but the treatment B and D highly significantly than treatment C (P0,01), the best ration consumption were derived from treatment C. The body weight Kg/bull/day significantly (P0,05) between treatment A (0,47 Kg) and B (0,65 Kg), C (0,60 Kg), and D (0,61 Kg), the best average daily gain were derived from treatment B. The conversion ration showed that highly significantly (P0,01) between treatment A (9,55 Kg), and B (5,55 Kg), C (4,60 Kg), and D (5,59 Kg), the best ration conversion were derived treatment C. Similarly, the efficiency ration showed that highly significantly (P0,01) between treatment A (0,11%), and B (0,18%), C (0,22%), and D (0,18%), C is the best ration efficiency on the treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1216-1216
Author(s):  
Xinge Hu

Abstract Objectives The dietary fat content plays an important role in the regulation of chronic metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Here, we tested the impacts of triacylglycerol structure on the body weight gain and food intake of mice in a high-fat diet (HFD) setting. Methods Male C57/BL6J mice at 6 weeks old were fed one of the following three diets for 6 weeks, Teklad Rodent Diet chow diet (number 8640), the chow diet containing 36% (w/w) 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-3-oleoylglycerol (PPO), or the chow diet containing 36% (w/w) 1,3-Dipalmitoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (POP). Each group contained 9 mice, and their food intake and BW were measured daily. The mice were euthanized after 6 weeks (12 weeks old) for tissue sample collection. Results Both high HFD groups had significantly higher BW gain and caloric intakes than the chow diet group. Mice fed the POP diet had a lower percentage of BW gain and consumed less accumulated calories than those fed the PPO diet, as well as a significantly lower liver to BW ratio. Since week 4, the body BW rate of the POP group started to be lower than that of the PPO diet group. Conclusions TAG structures in an HFD setting affect the BW gain rate and obesity in mice. The different structures of fat added to affect the food intake and BW gain differently in an HFD setting. In the future, we would like to compare the changes of the hepatic lipogenesis enzyme in these mice. This will help us to understand how the triacylglycerol structures in the diet affect lipid metabolism in mice. Funding Sources Internal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 00005
Author(s):  
Leonid Kibkalo

The studies were carried out on three groups of superreplacement heifers of the Simmental breed, which were impregnated at the body weight of 360 kg. In the first group there were 32 unimpregnated heifers, in the second – 28 heifers, in the third – 30 heifers. The heifers of the first group after growing at the age of 18 months were taken for meat. 56 heifers gave the crop. The heifers were transferred for reproduction, and the bull-calves were put on cultivation and further fattening. To obtain well-fed animals, special diets were made so that the average daily gain was at least 650-700 g. After calving, the cows of the second group were taken for meat, and the cows of the third group were put on a 3-month fattening, and then taken for meat. The pre-slaughter weight of animals of the first group was 52 kg lower than that of animals of the second group and 104.7 kg lower than that of the third group. The difference was statistically significant at P>0.999. The interior fat mass was higher in the carcasses of cows of the second group by 1.1 and 3.2 kg compared to the animals of the third and first groups. The carcass yield was almost at the same level slightly ahead of the animals of the first group. Their slaughter yield was 60.1%, in other groups – 58.8-59.6%. The meatiness ratio was slightly higher in animals of the first group. The carcass weight of the first-calf heifers of the third group was 27.4 kg higher than that of the second group. Compared to the first group, this figure is higher by 52.6 kg. Specific carcass meat weight of the animals of the third group was 82.75%, which is higher than in the second and first groups by 0.41-0.85%, respectively. Heavy cowbanes weighing 32.6 and 40.4 kg were obtained from the animals. The skin of animals of the third group was 3.5-21.6 dm2 larger in area than of the animals of the second and first groups. Feeder bull-calves (n=27) had a removable mass of 532 kg. Heavy (282.3 kg) carcasses of good morphological composition were obtained from them. The sales revenue from first-calf heifers (second group) was higher than fattened heifers by 10.4%, and in comparison with fattened animals after calving (third group) it was lower by 9.4%. From the sale of one cow with a crop, 2.9 times more profit was received than from the sale of a heifer.


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