Health and performance of female dairy calves given additional immunoglobulins via a colostrum supplement in combination with high quality maternal colostrum
A study was conducted on the effects of additional consumption of immunoglobulins (Ig) via a commercial colostrum supplement (SCOL), composed of soybean oil, powdered whole hen’s egg, dextrose, vitamins and minerals, in combination with maternal colostrum (COL) of high quality, on the health and performance of dairy calves. After birth, 67 Holstein and crossbred Gir female calves were blocked by birth weight (BW) and breed and randomly assigned to two treatments: 1) maternal COL supplied in a volume corresponding to 10% BW; 2) as in Treat. 1 plus SCOL. COL was provided within the first 6 h of life in two meals and the SCOL was administered in two doses of 15 mL each. Following these initial intakes, the calves were housed individually and provided with water and concentrate feed at will, while also fed 6 L of milk, daily in two meals. Consumption of concentrate and health scoring were registered daily, while body weights were taken weekly until wk 8. Relative to Treat. 1 (control), supplementation with SCOL did not affect (P> 0.05), the performance parameters: consumption of concentrate and of total dry matter (DM); mean body weight and daily gain; and feed efficiency (kg gain/L milk or kg gain/kg total DM). Fecal condition score was not affected, but signs of dehydration were more frequent during wks 2 and 3 in the SCOL-fed calves. However, the percentage of animals with fever during the first 5 wks was higher in calves of the non-supplemented group, which was associated, during wks 3 to 7 with nasal discharge scores of 1 (on a 0 to 5 scale). The overall mortality rate was 8%. In conclusion, additional intake of Ig via the SCOL did not improve productive performance or health of the calves.
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | spa |
| Published: |
Asociacion Latinoamericana de Produccion Animal
2016
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| Online Access: | https://ojs.alpa.uy/index.php/ojs_files/article/view/2533 |
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