Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXIV, Issue 1
Written by Daniela Mihaela GRIGORE, Elena IRIMIA, Ioana NICOLAE, Dinu GAVOJDIAN, Narcisa BABEANU
The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of using Enterococcus faecium as probiotic on dairy calves’ growth rates and health status. During a 42 days trial, sixteen un-weaned Romanian Black Spotted calves were homogenously assigned in two groups: C (n = 8, control) and E (n = 8, treated with 2 x 108 CFU/ml of Enterococcus faecium). Body weight, blood sampling and diarrheic score were assessed at 0, 14, 28 and 42 days following administration of the probiotic. At the end of the trial, probiotic administration affected positively the experimental group, having a higher average daily gain with 23.96% compared to the control (ADG = 763.35g vs. 616.28g). Probiotic supplementation had no significant effects (P>0.05) on the hematologic profile and on calves health status. However, the prevalence of diarrhoea was higher in group C (32%) compared with group E (16%). Results suggest that throughout the use of Enterococcus faecium in un-weaned calves diets, the growth rates are improved and this could represent an approach in the control and prevention of enteric diseases.
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