مجتبی یاری

Abstract Direct microbial feeding in dairy calves may result to improved performance and growth measurements. currently, few reports have been published on direct microbial feeding through milk in dairy calves. The objective of current study was to add PriformosporaIndica (new prebiotic candidate) to whole milk in dairy calves feeding until weaning on performance, growth measurement, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites and health traits. Twenty-four neonates Holstein female calves were randomly divided between control group (first BW= 37.2 ± 1.7) and prebiotic group (first BW=37.9± 1.7) after three days feeding with their dam colostrum. Calves in prebiotic group were fed through their whole milk with 10 cc P.indicaduring day ( 5 cc in am and 5 cc in pm milk feeding) until weaning weight. Calves were housed in individual boxes and had free access to starter feed and drinking water from d 3 of age. After weaning calves were kept in their individual boxes until d 90 of age. During pre-weaning calves fed with prebiotic had higher dry matter intake and body weight (P<0.05) and tended to have higher weaning weight (P=0.057) compared with calves in control group. after weaning calves fed with P.indica higher body weight (P<0.05). In whole period of experiment, weekly body weight and dry matter intake were greater for calves fed with P.indica (P<0.05). Calves fed with P.indica had greater body length during pre and post –weaning and whole period of experiment (P<0.05); heart girth during whole period of experiment (P<0.05). Total tract apparent in vivo dry atter, organic matter and crude protein digestibility were similar between two groups at week 9 and 13 of experiment. Blood metabolites were similar among calves exception for blood urea nitrogen which was greater in calves fed with P.indica at week 13 of experiment (P<0.05). Rectal temperature, fecal score and treatment days with antibiotic were similar among calves throughout the study. In conclusion, microbial fe