[P1-03] Effect of early roughage feeding on growth and hindgut environment of pre-weaned calves
Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of early roughage feeding on growth and the hindgut environment of pre-weaned calves. Methods: Twenty newborn calves were divided into control and treatment groups. Calves in both groups were reared under the same feeding program. Calves in the treatment group were orally administrated with additional 50 g to 100 g of hay from 3 days of age until weaning. Fresh feces collected at week 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 were analyzed for fermentation parameters and microbiota. Results: Treatment group showed higher body weight at week 3. Fermentation parameters were not affected by early roughage feeding. Increased abundance of beneficial bacteria and reduced abundance of pathogenic bacteria within first 3 weeks of age were found in treatment group. No adverse effect was observed in treatment group during week 5 to 8. Therefore, early roughage feeding potentially contributes to improvement of the hindgut environment in newborn calves.