Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
J Dairy Sci. 2019 Dec;102(12):10997-11008. doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-16609. Epub 2019 Sep 11.
Strategies that can improve health and maximize growth in the preweaning period should improve the subsequent production and longevity of replacement animals. Few data are available that quantify feed and water consumption, as well as growth, in healthy versus non-healthy calves-the objective of this study. A database of Holstein calves (<1 wk of age; n = 313) was developed to compare calves that developed diarrhea in the first 21 d after arrival from commercial farms to the research facility versus calves that remained healthy. Individual calf data from 4 experiments included daily intake of milk replacer, free water, electrolyte solution, and starter grain, as well as weekly body weight (BW) and frame measures for 21 d after arrival. Calves with a fecal score of >2 for ≥3 consecutive days over the first 21 d of each experiment were retrospectively classified as diarrheic (DIA; n = 96); the remainder were classified as healthy (HEA; n = 217). Other health issues were minimal. The likelihood of elevated fecal score occurrence and the cumulative number of days with an elevated score were greater for DIA calves than for HEA calves. The initial total protein concentration in blood did not differ between classifications. Cumulative milk replacer dry matter intake (DMI) and water consumed from milk replacer were significantly less for DIA calves than for HEA calves, because DIA calves were more likely to refuse milk replacer. Cumulative starter DMI was decreased for DIA versus HEA calves. As a result, cumulative total DMI was significantly less for DIA calves than for HEA calves. Cumulative free water intake did not differ between classifications. The DIA calves were more likely to receive electrolyte solution and have more days given electrolyte solution than HEA calves. As a result, total cumulative intake of electrolyte solution was greater in DIA calves than in HEA calves. Cumulative total water intake did not differ between classifications. Initial BW did not differ between classifications; however, a classification × time interaction for BW indicated that HEA calves were heavier than DIA calves and had greater ADG. Significant classification × time interactions for hip height and heart girth revealed that HEA calves had a larger frame size. Gain-feed ratios for both milk replacer intake and total DMI differed between classifications: DIA calves were less feed-efficient than HEA calves. In conclusion, diarrhea in young calves decreases DMI, BW gain, and feed efficiency relative to HEA calves within 21 d of arrival.
在断奶前采取能够改善健康状况和最大限度促进生长的策略，应该能够提高后备动物的后续生产性能和寿命。本研究的目的是确定能够量化健康和不健康犊牛在到达后第 1 至 21 天期间采食量、饮水量和生长情况的相关数据。研究人员建立了一个荷斯坦犊牛（<1 周龄；n = 313）数据库，用于比较在到达研究机构后的第 1 至 21 天期间从商业农场到达的发生腹泻的犊牛与保持健康的犊牛。4 项实验中每只犊牛的个体数据包括牛奶代用品、自由水、电解质溶液和开食料的日摄入量，以及到达后 21 天的每周体重（BW）和体尺测量值。在每个实验的第 1 至 21 天期间，粪便评分≥3 分且连续≥3 天的犊牛被回溯性地归类为腹泻（DIA；n = 96）；其余被归类为健康（HEA；n = 217）。其他健康问题很少见。DIA 犊牛出现粪便评分升高的可能性和评分升高的累积天数均大于 HEA 犊牛。初始血液总蛋白浓度在分类之间没有差异。DIA 犊牛的牛奶代用品干物质采食量（DMI）和牛奶代用品中的水分消耗量均显著低于 HEA 犊牛，因为 DIA 犊牛更有可能拒绝牛奶代用品。DIA 犊牛的开食料 DMI 降低。因此，DIA 犊牛的总 DMI 显著低于 HEA 犊牛。自由水摄入量在分类之间没有差异。DIA 犊牛更有可能接受电解质溶液，并且接受电解质溶液的天数多于 HEA 犊牛。因此，DIA 犊牛的总电解质溶液摄入量大于 HEA 犊牛。总水摄入量在分类之间没有差异。初始 BW 在分类之间没有差异；但是，BW 的分类×时间交互作用表明，HEA 犊牛比 DIA 犊牛重，且日增重更高。髋高和胸围的分类×时间交互作用表明，HEA 犊牛的体型较大。牛奶代用品和总 DMI 的采食量与增益比在分类之间存在差异：DIA 犊牛的饲料效率低于 HEA 犊牛。总之，在到达后 21 天内，与 HEA 犊牛相比，年轻犊牛的腹泻会降低 DMI、BW 增重和饲料效率。
