The effect of pelleted starter on performance and some blood parameters of suckling dairy calves

Twelve female, suckling Brown Swiss calves were randomly assigned into two treatments in order to investigate the effect of pelleted starter on performance and some blood metabolites. Diets were included: mash starter (M.S) and pelleted starter (P.S). Diets were formulated to be isonutrients. Based on present results, calves that received P.S. diet, had higher weight gain than that received M.S. diet (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in total intake of starter, feed efficiency and time of starting rumination between diets. Weaning age and total intake of milk dry matter were higher in calves received M.S. than P.S. (P<0.05). Crude protein and organic matter digestibility in M.S. were lower than P.S. (P<0.05). No differences were observed in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ash digestibility between treatments. Treatments had no significant effects on blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration. Finding from the experiment concluded that starter in form of pellet can improve weight gain in neonatal dairy calves.