Chopping Roughage Length Improved Rumen Development of Weaned Calves as Revealed by Rumen Fermentation and Bacterial Community

摘要

The development of rumen plays vital roles on the growth performance of calves. Rumen development is determined by rumen microorganisms, their metabolic products, and diet. Volatile fatty acids produced by ruminal microbes are one of the major determinants of ruminal papillary size and shape. Feed particle size could affect the development of rumen. Whether the roughage length determines the rumen development through the rumen microflora or not is worthy of investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the comprehensive effects of roughage length and rumen bacterial community on the rumen development of weaned calves. Our results indicated that chopping roughage increased the ruminal bacteria involved in increasing the production of butyrate and promoted the process of bacterial colonization. This study illustrated chopping roughage at a short length could improve the rumen development and promote a stable rumen bacterial community of weaned calves.