Abstract
Reproductive traits and health status in dairy cows are largely affected by diet quality. Natural zeolite has been successfully used in livestock production as a feed supplement for some types and categories of domestic animals. This experiment was conducted over a period of 15 months involving Domestic Spotted dairy cows. The test animals were assigned to three groups, each receiving different levels of supplemental zeolite. The control group comprised cows that received no zeolite supplement. Experimental groups I and II were fed rations supplemented with 4% and 2% zeolite, respectively. The reproductive traits studied included gestation length, length of service period, length of calving interval, calf body weight at birth and calf body weight at 90 days of age. The results obtained suggest that zeolite supplementation affects some reproductive traits, depending on the zeolite level present in livestock feed.
Highlights
Reproductive traits in dairy cows are largely affected by diet quality
The highest average value for gestation length was obtained in control dairy cows that received no zeolite supplement
The shortest gestation period was found in Experimental group I that was fed compound feed supplemented with 4% zeolite
Summary
Reproductive traits in dairy cows are largely affected by diet quality. Natural zeolite has been successfully used in livestock production as a feed supplement for some types and categories of domestic animals. Related studies in dairy cattle were conducted by Harvey et al (1991), Neustroyev et al (1995), Nešić (2000), Pešev et al (2005) and Ilić et al (2007). Livestock feeds that contain mycotoxins affect reproductive performance, and other traits in cattle. Harvey et al (1991), Neustroyev et al (1995), Ilić et al (2005), Pešev et al (2005) justify the use of zeolite in livestock feeds fed to lactating cows
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