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Studies on the intake and utilization of wet feed by calves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. J. Fitzgerald  and
M. Kay
J. J. Fitzgerald
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Bucksbum, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
M. Kay
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Bucksbum, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
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Summary

A latin square design with three periods of 3 weeks was used to measure the dry-matter intake, live-weight gain and water intake of 12 British Friesian calves offered an all-concentrate diet ad libitumin wet form. The diets contained 30% (B), 20% (C) or 15% (D) dry matter. A further six calves were given the same diet in dry form (A) throughout the experimental period. Digestibility and nitrogen balance were measured on four calves on each treatment at the end of the experimental period. In addition, two Ayrshire calves, each fitted with a permanent abomasal cannula, were used to study the site of digestion of the feed when given in dry or wet form.

The mean dry-matter intakes of the calves given the dry and wet feeds were 75·5 and 80·8 g/kg W0·75 per day respectively and mean daily live-weight gains were 849 g for the calves on both types of feed. The mean dry-matter intakes of the calves given the wet diets were 80·9 (B), 81·2 (C) and 75·5 (D) g/kg W0·75 per day, and the live-weight gains (g/day) were 857 (B), 879 (C) and 812 (D). None of these differences were significant. The intake of water by the calves was significantly increased by reducing the dry-matter content of the diet. The form or dry-matter content of the diet offered had no effect on the digestibility of dry matter (76·1%), organic matter (77·9%), energy (75·8%) or crude protein (75·8%) or on nitrogen retention (32·5% of N intake).

The rumen was the main site of digestion for all Tour diets and an average of only 7% of dietary starch passed undigested through the abomasum.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , October 1974 , pp. 149 - 156
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1974

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References

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