Effects of Different Levels of Garlic Powder in the Starter Diet on Performance of Holestin Dairy Calves

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different levels of garlic powder (GP) in the starter diet on performance, weight and age of weaning, some of blood metabolites, fecal score, structural growth and nutrients digestibility in new-born Holstein calves. Thirty male and femal dairy calves (40.9 ± 1.9 Kg of BW) were randomly assigned in a completely randomized design to the following three groups 1) basal diet without GP (control), 2) basal diet supplemented with 0.5% GP, and 3) basal diet supplemented with 1% GP for a period of 70 d. All calves recived colostrum until d 3 and then were offered 4 kg whole milk/d from d 4 to weaning. Results showed that dry matter intake (DMI) was higher in the calves fed rations containing 0.5 and 1% GP and the calves fed 0.5% GP had the highest gain, average daily gain (ADG) and weight of weaning (P