Effect of Aureomycin, Erythromycin, and Hygromycin on the Growth Rate and Well-Being of Young Dairy Calves

Abstract

Eighty-eight two-day-old calves were used in two 84-day experiments to evaluate the antibiotics aureomycin, erythromycin, and hygromycin as supplements to a milk replacer–starter type of ration. Hygromycin was fed at five levels ranging from 3.0 to 50 mg. of hygromycin per pound of replacer. A milk replacer-calf starter-hay system of feeding was used in both experiments. Supplementing the rations with either aureomycin or erythromycin improved the rate of gain of the calves, increased the feed consumption, and reduced the incidence of calf scours. Hygromycin did not improve weight gains or skeletal growth of the calves, but did significantly reduce the incidence of calf scours. All levels of hygromycin tended to reduce the consumption of calf starter, particularly when fed at high levels. © 1959, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.