The use of smectite kizelgur in diets when rearing calves of the preweaning period

Abstract

The use of grain feed mixtures in the diets of young cattle at an early age does not fully meet their need for minerals, because of which other nutrients cannot be used eff ectively enough. In this regard the current situation determines the need to use and develop recipes for grain feed mixtures with the inclusion of relatively inexpensive natural mineral additives in their composition from the early age of calves. The purpose of the work was to experimentally substantiate the inclusion in the grain feed mixture of different doses of smectite kizelgur and their effect on the productivity of young cattle during the preweaning period with its summer and winter housing. The doses of inclusion of smectite kizelgur in the composition of grain feed mixture for calves of the preweaning period and their effect on productivity and energy consumption per unit of growth have been studied. The most effective doses of smectite kizelgur in the composition of grain feed mixture for calves during the preweaning growing period under the conditions of their summer and winter maintenance have been established. In the experiment the content of vital chemical elements from different parts of the calves’ body in the hair has been studied as an indicator of the mineral status of their body when feeding smectite kizelgur in the grain feed mixture. It has been found during the research that when rearing calves in the preweaning period the use of different doses of smectite kizelgur in the diet has the positive effect on their growth and development, interior indicators and increases the economy of the industry. The inclusion of 20 g/head/day in the grain mixture in the summer period, and 30 g/head/day in the winter period of smectite kizelgur is the most economically justified.