Probiotic preparation SBT-Lacto and phytobiotic thyme extract as growth stimulants in calves

Abstract

In the conditions of a scientific and economic experiment in the mid-mountain zone of the Altai Republic, the effect on the growth performance of Simmental calves of the probiotic drug SBT-Lacto and the phytobiotic thyme extract, which were fed to the animals with milk in the first month of their life, was studied. Calves of the 1st experimental group received thyme extract from the 22nd to 42nd days of life, the 2nd group - SBT-Lacto from the 1st to 21st days, and the 3rd experimental group - SBT-Lacto from the 1st day. x to the 21st day and thyme extract from the 22nd to the 42nd day. It was found that the absolute increase in body weight in the 1st experimental group did not significantly exceed the control indicator by 5.20 %; in the 2nd experimental group, the excess was 12.49 % and was significant. The maximum effect was obtained in the 3rd experimental group. The absolute increase in body weight of animals in this group significantly exceeded the control indicator - by 16.92 %. Thus, sequential separate feeding of thyme extract and probiotics to calves had a more pronounced positive effect on their growth. The improvement in growth rates of calves in the experimental groups can be explained by the normalisation of the composition of the intestinal microflora under the influence of the probiotic drug SBT-Lacto and the activation of digestive processes by substances contained in the thyme extract. A synergistic effect was obtained with the combined sequential use of these factors.