Effect of feeding fresh and preserved colostrum on mortality, incidence of diarrhoea and body weight of crossbred calves.

摘要

40 crossbred (Karan Swiss and Karan Fries) weaned calves were divided into 4 groups of 10 calves each. The groups comprised: calves (i) fed whole milk to serve as a control; (ii) fresh 1:3 diluted colostrum; (iii) colostrum preserved with 1% (v/v) propionic acid; and (iv) colostrum preserved with 0.8% (w/v) sodium benzoate. Observations were carried out on each group with respect to incidence of calf mortality, diarrhoea and growth in terms of body weight gain. No calf mortality was observed in anyof the groups during the experimental period. Colostrum-fed calves showed lower incidence of diarrhoea than those fed whole milk. Treated calves fed on colostrum preserved with propionic acid showed improved (though not significantly) overall performance. Average body weight gain for the 4 groups was 133, 150, 181 and 164 g/day for control, fresh colostrum, propionic acid and sodium benzoate groups respectively. The effect of age and treatment on body weight was significant (P<0.01).