Effect of addition a natural Zeolite on productivity of dairy calves after weaning

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of adding natural Zeolites to meals on live weight gain, food intake and food conversion efficiency of dairy calves after weaning. Twenty four female Friesian calves were assigned to a randomised block design, into three treatments of eight animals each: Control; 0% zeolite, Zeolita₃; 3% Zeolite, DM basis and Zeolita₅; 5% Zeolite, DM basis. The calves were fed with a diet mixed with a commercial calf starter and grass silage. Also, they receive water for ad libitum consumption. The experiment lasted for 65 days. Dry matter intake, live weight gain and feed efficiency were determined. Dry matter intake (DM) was not different among treatments (P>0.05) and was for all period of 2.82 kg, 2.82 kg and 2.80 kg for Control, Zeolita₃and Zeolita₅, respectively. Live weight gain (kg/day) in period one (0.286, 0.321 and 0.306) and in the whole experiment (0.396, 0.482 and 0.406), were similar among treatments, for Control, Zeolita₃ and Zeolita₅, respectively. However, in period two Zeolita₃ was greater (P<0.05) (0.644) than Control and Zeolita₅ (0.480). The food conversion efficiency (kg DM intake/live weight gain) was similar among treatments (P>0.05). The inclusion of 3% Zeolites in the diet, did not increase the dry matter intake and food conversion efficiency, but did improve the live weight gain after 30 days of trial.