Nutrition of the early-weaned calf. XII. The effect of diets differing in physical form on feed intake and rate of gain

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SUMMARY 1. Intake and digestibility were determined in a trial with 30 British Friesian calves given diets containing straw and either 3·2 (H), 2·9 (M) or 2·6 (L) Meal metabolizable energy per kg dry matter. For one series of diets the straw was chopped and the diets were made into cobs (1·0 × 2·5 × 4·0 cm); for a second series the straw was milled and the diets were made into pellets (1·0 × 1·25 cm) 2. Calves given the H diets containing either chopped or ground straw ate and gained less well than calves given M and L diets but there were no differences in feed intake or growth between calves given M and L diets. 3. The retention of feed residues was greater and the flow of fluid out of the rumen was less for cattle offered the H diet than the L diet.