Abstract:

The study was carried out to determine the effects of probiotic supplementation on neonatal calves until the weaning period on the development and health status of calves, 24 (20 females and 4 males) Holstein calves were allocated to two groups; control group (CON, n=12) and probiotic group (PRO, n=12) respectively, considering to their date of birth, and their sex, and their birth weight. In the study, a commercial source of probiotics containing different strains of microorganisms (Enterococcus spp, Lactobacillus spp. Pediococcus spp., and Bacillus spp.) was used, calves were given free calf starter feed and water from the 4th day until weaning. 20 ml of probiotic was added to the milk replacer (MR) given in the morning meal to PRO calves from the 4th day to weaning. In the study, data on feed intake, diarrhea, and health were monitored daily, and body weight data were measured and recorded at birth, 4th, 18th, 46th, and 55th days and at weaning. In the study, MR intake, starter feed intake, daily live weight gains (LWG), and weaning ages were found similar among the groups (P>0.05) on the other hand, the incidence of diarrhea was decreased by 50% and the incidence of pneumonia decreased by 54% in the PRO group (P≤0.05). As a result, it was determined that probiotic intake did not have any effect on performance in newborn calves while it had positive effects on their health status.

Keywords: