Effect of supplementation of calf starter with fennel powder on performance, weaning age and fermentation characteristics in Holstein dairy calves

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects on performance, weaning age and rumen fermentation characteristics in Holstein calves when fennel powder was added to their starter diets. Thirty Holstein calves with a mean birth weight 40 kg (SD = 0.5) were allocated randomly to one of the following experimental diets: (i) control (starter diet without fennel powder), (ii) starter diet containing 0.4% of fennel powder and (iii) starter diet containing 0.8% of fennel powder (DM basis). The effect of treatments on mean dry matter intake was significant (p < 0.05) in the post-weaning and total experimental periods. Average daily weight gain before (0.38, 0.49 and 0.47 kg/day) and after (0.6, 1.01 and 0.83 kg/day) weaning and during the entire study (0.45, 0.7 and 0.58 kg/day) was influenced by diets of 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p < 0.05). Maximum daily weight gain and the best feed conversion ratio were achieved with 0.4% fennel powder. Mean weaning age of the calves supplemented with fennel powder was lower (p < 0.05) than that of the control group. Ruminal fluid pH in calves offered starter containing 0.8% fennel powder was lower (p < 0.05) compared to calves fed the other diets. Ammonia nitrogen content increased (p < 0.05) in the third week of feeding fennel powder. The mean concentration of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and propionate molar percentage in the ruminal fluid of the calves fed with the fennel powder were higher (p < 0.05) at 6 weeks and 2 weeks after weaning than control group; however, acetate-to-propionate molar ratio was lower (p < 0.05). The results showed that adding 0.4% fennel powder to the starter increased the propionate molar percentage in the rumen and improved the calf performance, allowing the calves to be weaned at an earlier age.

Feeding fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed as a potential appetite stimulant for Holstein dairy calves: Effects on growth performance and health

“…Conventional antibiotics, added to liquid or starter feeds, have been used to decrease the morbidity and mortality, and to increase the feed intake and growth in calves; however, the use of such antibiotics in animalagriculture has been criticized in terms of the emerging public health crisis due to antibiotic resistance (Hajalizadeh et al, 2019). Therefore, there has been growing interests in the use of herbal plants such as fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) as alternatives to conven-tional antibiotics in promoting the growth and health of young animals (Saeedi et al, 2017;Hajalizadeh et al, 2019;Kargar et al, 2021). It has also been used for prevention or treatment of the digestive and respiratory diseases (Badgujar et al, 2014;Kooti et al, 2015).…”

Comparison of Nutritional Compositions and Essential Oil Profiles of Different Parts of a Dill and Two Fennel Cultivars

“…Many important enzymes also require trace minerals, which are vital for enzymatic and structural functions [12]. Therefore, fennel and dill by-products can also be used as feed additives to promote the healthy growth of animals, increase gastrointestinal (GI) peristalsis and intake, and improve intestinal microorganism balance [13,14].…”

Fennel and Ginger Improved Nutrient Digestibility and Milk Yield and Quality in Early Lactating Egyptian Buffaloes

“…Such compounds give fennel strong pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activities (Kooti et al, 2015;Ghazy et al, 2021). Saeedi et al (2017) stated that supplementing the starter diet of Holstein dairy calves with fennel for 2 weeks improved their growth and decreased the weaning age. Furthermore, Hajalizadeh et al (2019) observed that feeding growing lambs for 80 days on diet supplemented with fennel at 1.5% of diet increased feed intake, feed conversion, final body weight and live weight gain.…”