Effect of whey powder on performance and digestibility in Holstein calves

摘要

Groups of ten 7 day old Holstein calves each were fed 5, 10 and 20% whey powder in starter basal diet. Controls were fed basal diet. Calves were weighed at 1, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Feed intake was measured daily. Samples of concentrate, hay and feces dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein, digestible protein, crude fat, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were determined. There were no significant effects on fecal consistency or incidence of diarrhea. Compared with basal diet controls, DM, ash, crude protein, digestible protein, crude fat and NDF increased in calves fed whey supplement (P≤0.05) with highest digestibility occurring in those given 20% whey powder.