Özet:

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of zinc (Zn) and methionine (Met) on live performance and some blood parameters of calves consuming milk. A total of 80 Holstein calves (male and female mixed) were fed colostrums on first 3 days after delivery and assigned into 4 groups 20 per group, namely control (no supplement, only milk), milk plus 30 mg/kg Zn, milk plus 1% Met, and milk plus 30 mg/kg Zn and 1% Met until weaning (8 weeks). Body weight changes were similar between groups (P≥0.151). Live performance in general (wither height, hearth girth, hip width) improved better in calves supplemented with a combination of Zn and Met (P≥0.005). Except Cu concentrations, blood parameters remained similar among treatments (P≥0.063). Statistically insignificant as it was (P=0.934), zinc inclusion in Zn and Zn+Met group caused an increase in serum Zn concentrations. Therefore, it is recommended that new born calves should be supplemented with Zn at 30 mg/kg with Met at 1% for a better growth performance

Anahtar Kelimeler: