Effect of zinc supplementation as zinc sulfate or zinc methionine on Friesian calf performance
Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc sulfate and zinc methionine supplementation on the nutrient digestibility and nutritive values of feeds, ruminal and some blood parameters and productive performance of Friesian calves. Fifteen newly born suckling Friesian calves were chosen and divided into three similar groups (5 calves each) after being fed one week on colostrums. They were then fed on ration supplemented with 40 mg of Zn in the form of zinc sulfate or zinc methionine as were their dams during the last three months of pregnancy. The experiment consisted of two stages: 1- suckling period, during which animals of the three groups were fed either starter + berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) hay + whole milk without zinc addition (control) ,the control ration + 40 mg/head/day of zinc sulfate(first tested group) or the control ration + 40 mg/head/day of zinc methionine (second tested group). 2- growing period, animals were fed on the following rations: The control group was fed concentrate feed mixture (CFM) + berseem hay + rice straw) without zinc supplementation, the second group was fed on the control ration + 40mg/kg dry matter intake (DMI) of zinc sulfate, and the third group was fed on the control ration + 40mg/kg DMI of zinc methionine. Results indicated that zinc addition either as zinc sulfate or zinc methionine increased (P<0.05) the digestibility of all nutrients which were reflected on the nutritive values (as TDN and DCP) of diets in the suckling and growing period . Addition of zinc sulfate or zinc methionine reduced ammonia-N and increased both TVF's and daily gain during suckling and growing periods of Friesian calves.
Also, tested rations improved serum total protein and globulin, and reduced the concentrations of both albumin and urea concentration in blood plasma.
On the basis of the foregoing results it is feasible to supplement 40 mg Zn to the diet, preferably in the form of Zn methionine rather than Zn sulphate during the last three months of pregnancy and during both calf suckling and growing period to improve growth performance and feed utilization with better economical revenue.
Keywords: Friesian calves, zinc sulfate, zinc methionine, feed intake, digestibility, ruminal and blood parameters, growth performance.
Publication year 2010
Pages 23-36
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
serial title Egyptian Journal of Animal Production
ISSN 0302-4520
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Digestibility. Feed intake.
Proposed Agrovoc growth performance;blood parameters;ruminal;zinc methionin;zinc sulfate;Friesian calves;
Publication Type Journal
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