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The effect of dietary garlic supplementation on body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, faecal score, faecal coliform count and feeding cost in crossbred dairy calves

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Abstract

Thirty-six crossbred calves (Holstein cross) of 5 days of age were used to study the effect of garlic extract feeding on their performance up to the age of 2 months (pre-ruminant stage). They were randomly allotted into treatment and control groups (18 numbers in each group). Performance was evaluated by measuring average body weight (BW) gain, feed intake (dry matter (DM), total digestible nutrient (TDN) and crude protein (CP)), feed conversion efficiency (FCE; DM, TDN and CP), faecal score, faecal coliform count and feeding cost. Diets were the same for the both groups. In addition, treatment group received garlic extract supplementation at 250 mg/kg BW per day per calf. Body weight measured weekly, feed intake measured twice daily, proximate analysis of feeds and fodders analysed weekly, faecal scores monitored daily and faecal coliform count done weekly. There was significant increase in average body weight gain, feed intake and FCE and significant decrease in severity of scours as measured by faecal score and faecal coliform count in the treatment group compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Feed cost per kilogramme BW gain was significantly lower in the treatment group compared to control group (P < 0.01). The results suggest that garlic extract can be supplemented to the calves for better performance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya), Rewa, 486001, Madhya Pradesh, India

    Sudipta Ghosh & Biswajit Roy

  2. Division of Dairy Cattle Breeding, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, Haryana, India

    Ram K. Mehla

  3. Division of Dairy Cattle Nutrition, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, Haryana, India

    S. K. Sirohi

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  1. Sudipta Ghosh
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  2. Ram K. Mehla
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  4. Biswajit Roy
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Correspondence to Sudipta Ghosh.

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Ghosh, S., Mehla, R.K., Sirohi, S.K. et al. The effect of dietary garlic supplementation on body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, faecal score, faecal coliform count and feeding cost in crossbred dairy calves. Trop Anim Health Prod 42, 961–968 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9514-5

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