EFFECTS OF FORMALIN ADDED TO MILK REPLACERS ON GROWTH, FEED INTAKE, DIGESTION AND INCIDENCE OF ABOMASAL BLOAT IN LAMBS

Abstract

Formalin (37% formaldehyde) was added at 0–0.15% (v/w) to 20% (w/w) solids milk replacers to determine its effect on utilization of nutrients, growth, feed intake and incidence of abomasal bloat in lambs. Formalin at 0.05 or 0.10% in the diet had no effect on growth, nitrogen retention and apparent digestion of dry matter, nitrogen and energy by lambs. The incidence of abomasal bloat was markedly reduced in lambs fed milk replacer twice daily to appetite when 0.10%, compared with 0 or 0.05% formalin was added. Milk replacer intake by lambs and body weight gains were reduced by the inclusion of 0.15% formalin, but there was no adverse effect on the digestive tract mucosa. Lambs fed milk replacer ad libitum at 17 C with 0.05% formalin added tended to gain more body weight to weaning than those fed refrigerated milk replacer without formalin (237 vs. 192 g/day); weight gains to 10 wk were 224 and 222 g/day, respectively. The same milk replacer containing 0.05% formalin was fed to lambs either ad libitum or restricted to 900 g/day after 8 days of age. Weight gains to weaning at 28 days were 311 and 212 g/day, and to 10 wk were 259 and 220 g/day, respectively. Milk replacer dry matter intakes per lamb were 8.8 and 5.4 kg. There was no abomasal bloating in lambs when fed ad libitum or restricted amounts of milk replacer with 0.05% formalin added.