Effects of spray-dried whole egg and biotin in calf milk replacer.
Holstein bull calves (n = 120) were fed milk replacers containing 0, 10, or 20% of the formulation (0, 22, or 44% of crude protein) as spray-dried whole egg powder in a 56-d feeding trial. Milk replacer was medicated with oxytetracycline and neomycin and was fed from d 1 to 42 of the study in a phase-fed program. All experimental milk replacers were supplemented with B vitamins, except biotin. One half of all calves were supplemented with 1 mg/kg of supplemental biotin to determine whether avidin in the egg protein product inhibited growth. Increasing spray-dried whole egg caused a linear reduction in body weight, body weight gain at 28 and 56 d of the study, calf starter intake, and feed efficiency. Calves fed milk replacers containing 0, 10, and 20% spray-dried whole egg gained an average of 486, 369, and 302 g/d, respectively, during the 56-d trial. Efficiency of feed utilization was 446, 318, and 231 g of body weight gain per kilogram of dry matter intake. Improvement in body weight and feed efficiency occurred when calves began consuming calf starter on d 29. Digestibility of protein or fat from egg may have been reduced during the trial; however, the addition of biotin to the milk replacer did not influence animal performance, suggesting that avidin in spray-dried whole egg was not responsible for impaired performance. The spray-dried whole egg product used in this study did not provide nutrients to support adequate growth of milk-fed calves.
Quigley
J D
JD
APC, Inc, Ames, IA 50010, USA. jim.Quigley@amerprotcorp.com
D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D001360:Avidin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001710:Biotin / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005526:Food, Formulated; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D001360:Avidin; D001710:Biotin