Effects of Different Feeding Methods on Growth Performance, Enzyme Activity, Rumen Microbial Diversity and Metabolomic Profiles in Yak Calves

Yaks are important for the ecology and economy of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The growth of the yak industry depends on sustainable and accelerated growth of calves, sustaining herd reproduction and production systems. Yak calves born in the summer months of June and July are faced with a heightened risk of winter mortality. Exclusive traditional, natural feeding prolongs the suckling period, and this leads to a series of problems due to the harsh high-altitude environment, such as inadequate nutrition leading to retarded growth and an imbalanced herd structure. To enhance growth performance and breeding efficiency, 12 male calves of similar weights (68.53 ± 6.41 kg) were randomly assigned to a control group (suckle the dam (SU)) or an experimental group (early weaning with full feeding, concentrate and oat hay at a 7:3 ratio (CO)). The results showed that compared with suckling, early weaning with full feeding significantly improved the growth performance, volatile fatty acids and digestive enzyme activity. The abundance of the Firmicutes was reduced, but there was an increased abundance of Bacteroidetes, which affected the rumen metabolome. In conclusion, early weaning with full feeding improves growth performance, promotes rumen fermentation and carbohydrate degradation, reduces the diversity and richness of rumen microbial flora and alters the content and pathways of metabolites in yak calves. These factors contribute to the growth and market readiness of yak calves born in June and July, accelerate herd turnover and enhance the production efficiency of grazing yaks.