Weight growth and safety of calves against the background of the use of mineral feed additives

Relevance . Insufficient feeding has a negative effect on the metabolism and health of the cow, as well as on the condition of the offspring being born. Weak calves that have not accumulated reserve nutrients by birth are susceptible to various diseases. The purpose of the work is to study the effect of the use of mineral feed additives when feeding heifers on the growth and development, safety of newborn young. Methods . To conduct the study in a typical breeding plant for the region, 3 groups of heifers (10 heads each) were formed — a control group and two experimental ones based on the principle of pairs of analogues. The safety of calves and their weight growth were assessed by weighing individually and calculating growth indicators according to generally accepted methods and formulas. The impact of the use of mineral feed additives when feeding heifers during the deadwood period on the health of calves was evaluated. Results . It was found that the use of such mineral feed additives as zeolite from the Karinsky deposit and “Mineral Active” to heifers in the third trimester of pregnancy had a positive effect on the growth and safety of newborn calves. Calves of the experimental groups had a live birth weight significantly higher than calves obtained from heifers of the control group. To some extent, this had an impact on the live weight of calves at 3 months of age (p < 0.01). Despite the significant difference in live weight and average daily live weight gains in favor of calves of the experimental groups, the relative increase (or growth intensity) turned out to be higher in calves of the control group with almost unchanged growth multiplicity.