Twenty-four Holstein calves divided into two groups were used to evaluate Tifton 85 hay or whole cotton seed as fiber source in their diets. One group received Tifton 85 hay and concentrate ad libitum (hay group) and the other received ad libitum (cotton group) only concentrate with whole cotton seed incorporated (13,5%). Feed intake; weight; whither and ileum heights; thoracic and abdominal circumferences; acetate, propionate and butyric concentrations; pH of ruminal content; blood glucose; and rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum weights were measured. Feed intake; animal performance; acetate, propionate and butyric concentrations; pH of ruminal content; blood glucose and weight of stomach compartments did not differ between the groups (P>0.05). No clinical evidence of gossypol intoxication was observed. It was concluded that whole cotton seed replaced hay as fiber source in the diets of calves.
calf; VFA; performance; blood glucose; rumen pH
