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Growth Performance and Health of Dairy Calves Fed with Schizochytrium sp
Thirty-six dairy calves were studied on Schizochytrium sp. supplementation affecting on growth performance and health. Repeated measurement in completely randomized design was assigned. Treatment had 3 groups (12 calves per group). Group 1 was control (fresh milk added with lactobacillus). Group 2 was control plus 3 g/h/d of Schizochytrium sp. supplementation. Group 3 was control plus 6 g/h/d of Schizochytrium sp. supplementation. After birth, calf was placed in individual pen. Each calf fed colostrum immediately until 3 days of age. On d 4, all calves were fed ad libitum of calf starter and water separated bucket in the front of individual pen. Calves were also fed fresh milk 5 kg/h/d, 2 times a day from d 4 to d 42 of age. Feed intake, fecal fluidity score and calves cleanliness score were recorded daily. Initial body weight, d 7, d 21 and final body weight were measured. On d 1, d 21, and d 42 fresh blood analyzed for neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (N:L ratio; stress indicator), serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), serum glucose, serum urea-nitrogen (SUN) were collected. Feed intake (778.8, 763.3, and 758.3g for group 1, 2, and 3, respectively) and average daily gain (ADG 552.5, 552.1, and 557.1 g/d for group 1, 2, and 3, respectively) did not differ (P > 0.05). However, feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.40 for group 3) had lower than others (1.49 and 1.83 for group 1and 2; P = 0.060). Serum IgG (37.7, 38.6, and 37.6 mg/ml for group 1, 2, and 3, respectively), serum glucose (159.1, 171.9, and 179.4 mg/dl for group 1, 2, and 3, respectively) and SUN (9.6, 10.17, and 9.6 mg/dl for group 1, 2, and 3, respectively) did not differ (P > 0.05). The percentage of white blood cells count and N:L ratio (0.2, 0.17, and 0.16 for group 1, 2, and 3, respectively) also did not differ (P > 0.05). However, on d 1 serum IgG and serum glucose were the highest in 3 groups. Overall blood N:L ratio decreased when calf was older (P< 0.05).
Keywords: Schizochytrium sp, dairy calf, health