Authors : S.M.R. Hossaini, M. Bojarpour , M. Mamouei , A. Asadian and J. Fayazi
Abstract: The effects of probiotic and antibiotic administration were studied in an experiment, using 24 newborn calves. Calves were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (eight calves for each group). Probiotic (2 g day-1) and antibiotic (2 g day-1) was added in their daily milk intake until age of weaning. After the 3 days, all calves (including control group) received starter ration containing 21.540% crude protein and 2.75 Mcal kg-1 energy. Feed intake, Body weight gain, Fecal scores and general health condition of all calves were observed at per week. Also condition of feces was examined daily and the occurrence of diarrhea was recorded throughout the experiment. Mean values of weight gain during tow months for treatments probiotic, antibiotic and control groups were 36.75, 35.41 and 31.83 kg, respectively. DMI illustrated that calves fed antibiotic (T2) thorough had greater DMI than control calves (p<0.05). Body weight gained was not significantly different for first and second months between treatments probiotic, antibiotic and control groups (11.750 and 25, 12.91 and 22.5 versus 11 and 20.75 for fist and second months in treatments and control groups, respectively). When the entire study period, calves fed probiotic (T1) and antibiotic (T2) had greater BWG (p<0.05) than control calves, also calves fed probiotic (T1) and antibiotic (T2) had greater ADG (p<0.05) than control calves. The results of this study indicated that present probiotic compound have beneficial effects, especially on the 2 months of age in rearing calves.
S.M.R. Hossaini, M. Bojarpour , M. Mamouei , A. Asadian and J. Fayazi, 2010. Effects of Probiotics and Antibiotic Supplementation in Daily Milk Intake of Newborn Calves on Feed Intake Body Weight Gain, Fecal Scores and Health Condition. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 9: 872-875.