Evaluation of the use of probiotics in rearing dairy calves.

摘要

In a first experimeflt the effects of a direct-fed microbial additive (probiotic) containing viable lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on health and performance of stressed and non-stressed calves were evaluated using 42 newborn dairy calves in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment. Each animal was assigned to one of four treatment combinations: (1) Non-stressed, no probiotic; (2) Non-stressed, + probiotic; (3) Stressed, no probiotic; (4) Stressed, + probiotic.; A second experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation with yeast culture (YC) or YC + LAB on performance and rumen development of dairy heifers. In this trial 36 Holstein heifers (Avg BW = 186 Kg) receiving a total mixed ration were assigned to one of three treatments: (1) Control; (2) Supplemented with 5 g/d YC; and (3) Supplemented with 5 g/d Yeast culture + Lactic acid bacteria YC + LAB. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)