The article presents the results of research on the effect of pre-starter pallet feed and protein-vitamin-mineral supplements for calves “Delta Feds” (AO “BioPro”, Novosibirsk) and “Cargill” (OOO “Provimi”, Moscow) on the growth and health of calves of dairy and transitional periods in the Republic of Khakassia. The objectives were to study the dynamics of calves’ live weight, average daily gain, morphological and biochemical blood parameters. We carried out scientific and agricultural experiments on Simmental calves in OOO “Tselinnoe” in Shirinsky district of the Republic of Khakassia. Two groups of newborn calves (n = 30 animals) were formed for the first experiment: Group I received pre-starter feed “Cargill”, Group II received pre-starter feed “Delta Feds”. In the second experiment we formed two groups of heifers at the age of 3,5 months (n = 15 animals) and in the third experiment – two groups of heifers at the age of 5 months (n = 18 animals); we tested protein-vitamin-mineral supplements of the same producers on the experimental groups, and the control group received the ration typical for the farm. We have established that the use of pre-starter and starter mixed fodders in calf feeding gives an opportunity to get a gain in the dairy period – 828–890 g/day, in the fostered – 703–727 g/day. Therefore, we recommend introducing pre-starter pellet feed from three days of age, and from three months of age – protein-vitamin-mineral supplement from “Provimi” and “BioPro” for the preparation of starter feed for young animals in farm conditions, allowing more fully meet the needs of animals in energy and basic nutrients
Keywords
live weight, Pre-starter feed, protein-vitamin-mineral supplement, calves, average daily gain, morphological and biochemical blood parameters