[Oral and intramuscular ferridextran intervention in male breeding calves. 3. Nutrient and feed uptake during the stay in the weaning range].

The influence of an oral and intramuscular Fe-application on the nutrient (dry matter, energy, protein and iron) and feed intake resp. (skim milk, calf rearing feed and lucerne hay) of calves during their 56-day stay in the weaning range of a rearing farm was investigated. There were significant differences between the test animal groups with regard to nutrient intake; their levels had the following sequence: B (Fe orally) greater than C (Fe i.m.) greater than A (without Fe-supplement). In the calf rearing organised as graded production the effect of iron intervention on nutrient intake probably occurs as a consequence of the reduction of the depression of feed consumption caused by disease. By comparison with the nutrient and feed intake of weaning calves from a different rearing farm one can further conclude that this secondary effect of iron intervention does not only depend on the more or less rapid remedy of the differently marked states of iron deficiency of the calves but also on the other rearing conditions (particularly the drinking regime). It is improbable that the oral ferridextran intervention (200 mg Fe/d) carried out provokes excessive iron supply.