Abstract
This study was conducted to compare the effects of feeding high protein and low energy milk replacer (HPR; CP 25%, ME 3.6 Mcal/kg DM) with low protein and high energy milk replacer (HPR; CP 21%, ME 4.2 Mcal/kg DM) on feed consumption, body weight (BW) gain, health and selected blood metabolites in Holstein calves during the pre-weaning period. At each feeding, each milk replacer (MR) was prepared by mixing 0.125 kg of dry MR in 1L of warm (60°C) water. The calves were fed either HPR (n = 10) or HER (n = 10) using mobile plastic bottles fitted with soft rubber nipples. All calves received 1.8L diluted MR at each feeding 3 times daily during the first 4 weeks of age; feeding frequency was reduced to 2 times daily for the next 2 weeks of age and then to once daily during the last week of the experiment. Jugular blood was sampled in calves at day 7, 14, 21, 35 and 49 of age to enumerate selected metabolites. Daily MR, starter and hay intake during the pre-weaning period were similar in calves fed HPR and HER. Consumption of starter, MGH and total DM steadily increased with the age of calves. Final BW, daily BW gain and feed efficiency of calves were not affected by treatments. Serum glucose, cholesterol, creatinine were decreased (p<0.05) and blood urea N was increased (p<0.05) in calves fed HER or HPR as they grew older. Serum glucose, total protein and albumin concentrations in calves were not affected by treatments. Serum GPT and GOT concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in calves on HPR than on HER. Scouring score, days scoured, respiratory score, rectal temperature and general appearance were similar in calves fed HPR and HER. Poor general appearance (dullness and droopy ears) of calves fed either HPR or HER reflected nutritional insufficiency and stress. In conclusion, energy and protein concentrations in MR did not affect feed intake and BW gain in Holstein calves during the pre-weaning period. Poor general appearance and lower BW gain of calves compared to those reported in the literature for milk fed calves prompt a demand for further research to improve the daily nutrient supply to MR-fed calves.
Highlights
ME 3.6 Mcal/kg DM) with low protein and high energy milk replacer (HPR; CP 21%, ME 4.2 Mcal/kg DM) on feed consumption, body weight (BW) gain, health and selected blood metabolites in Holstein calves during the pre-weaning period
Supply of liquid feed to calves delays the initiation of ruminal fermentation and development (Baldwin et al, Amount, composition, and feeding method of milk 2004) due to depressed solid feed intake (Jensen, 2006)
Restricted milk or MR feeding to Significantly greater milk consumption, dry feed intake, calves generally depresses their growth (Khan et al, 2007a), BW gain, and feed efficiency were observed in calves on health and behavior (Huzzey et al, 2005) because of poor STEP compared with conventionally fed calves
Summary
Supply of liquid feed to calves delays the initiation of ruminal fermentation and development (Baldwin et al., Amount, composition, and feeding method of milk 2004) due to depressed solid feed intake (Jensen, 2006). Received May 11, 2007; Accepted July 23, 2007 of energy and protein contents of MR on growth performance of neonatal calves Their results indicated higher BW gain during pre-weaning in calves fed on MR. Higher protein and lower fat contents than whole milk on 2.5 m; bedded with wood shavings) where they were fed DM basis This nutrient imbalance is one of the important colostrum at 10% of their BW for the first 3 d. Pens had solid iron rod sides, with openings in the higher protein may adversely affect liver and front and rear to allow calves free access to calf starter and kidney functions in pre-weaned calves (Kurz and Willett et chopped mixed grass hay (MGH) from feeding buckets.
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