Feeding Naturally Fermented, Cultured, and Direct Acidified Colostrum to Dairy Calves

Abstract

Thirty-two Holstein calves which were allowed to nurse their dams for the first 3 days of life were allotted randomly into four groups of four males and four females and fed liquid diets of commercial mill replacer, naturally fermented, lactic acid cultured, and acetic acid treated colostrum from 3 to 45 days of age. The colostrum was diluted 1:1 with water and fed twice daily at a daily rate of 10% of body weight. A starter ration of 18% crude protein was fed free choice beginning at 10 days of age. Average daily gains were .24, .29, .20, and .32 kg per calf for the respective diets. Daily starter intakes were .25, .53, .42, and .51 kg per calf; dry matter intakes per kg gain were 3.22, 2.59, 3.15, and 2.37. Incidence of scours was lower for calves fed colostrum than those fed commercial milk replacer. © 1977, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.