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Probiotic supplementation for suckling Friesian calves 1- productive performance
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Abstract: Forty-eight suckling Friesian calves and heifers during winter (30 animals with average live weight of 32.70 + 0.79 kg) and summer seasons (18 animals with average live weight of 36.35 + 0.65 kg) were divided into three comparable groups based on sex and birth weight. In the control group (G1), animals were fed a basal ration consisted of whole milk, starter and fresh berseem (winter season) or berseem hay (summer season). While in the second (G2) and third (G3) groups, animals were fed a basal ration supplemented with 5 and 10 g Bio-Top / calf / day in the whole milk once time daily during the morning suckling, respectively.
The obtained results showed that the digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE and NFE and subsequently TDN, ME and DCP values were significantly higher (P<0.05) for groups supplemented with probiotic compared with control group and for winter than summer seasons. While, their were nearly similar for male and female calves.
Calves of G3 (10 g Bio-Top) recorded significantly (P<0.05) the highest intakes of TDN and ME followed by those in G2, while control group (G1) had the lowest intakes. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in DM and DCP intakes among the different groups. The intakes of DM, TDN, ME and DCP were higher significantly (P<0.05) for winter compared with summer season. While, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in DM, TDN, ME and DCP intakes between male and female calves.
Calves of G3 showed significantly (P<0.05) the lowest ruminal pH value and NH3-N concentration and the highest TVFA’s concentration, followed by G2, while control group had the opposite values. Moreover, the concentration of NH3-N was higher significantly (P<0.05) for winter compared with summer season, while pH value tended to be lower and TVFA’s concentration tended to be higher for winter compared with summer season. Ruminal pH value and TVFA’s and NH3-N concentrations were nearly similar for male and female calves.
Probiotic supplementation led to increasing body weight, daily weight gain and body weight gain improvement. Calves born in winter revealed significantly (P<0.05) the higher body weight at 10 and 15 weeks and daily weight gain during the periods of 1-5, 6-10 and 1-15 weeks of age. While calves born in summer season had significantly (P<0.05) the higher daily weight gain during the period of 11-15 weeks of age. Moreover, body weight of male calves was significantly (P<0.05) higher than female calves. While, there were no significant differences in daily weight gain between male and female calves.
Probiotic supplementation improved significantly feed and economic efficiencies. Feed and economic efficiencies were higher significantly for winter than summer season. While, there were no significant differences in feed and economic efficiencies between male and female calves.
Keywords: Suckling Friesian calves, probiotic supplementation, body weight gain, feed and economic efficiencies.
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| Publication year |
2005
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| Pages |
163-173
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| Availability location |
معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
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| Availability number |
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| Organization Name |
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| serial title |
Egyptian Journal Nutrition and Feeds
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| ISSN |
1110-6360
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| Author(s) from ARC |
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| Agris Categories |
Animal physiology - Nutrition
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AGROVOC
TERMS |
Birth weight.
Calves.
Economic analysis.
Feed conversion efficiency.
Heifers.
Probiotics.
Sex.
Summer.
Winter.
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| Proposed Agrovoc |
body weight gain;Suckling Friesian calves;
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| Publication Type |
Journal
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