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Development of the stomachs of calves receiving different liquid diets

This research evaluated the influence of different liquid diets on development of the stomach compartments of crossbred calves. It was used 24 crossbred calves distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replications: whole milk, 50% whole milk + 50% of cheese whey, 50% whole milk + 50% cheese whey supplemented with a whole egg; whole milk and 50% + 50% of cheese whey a supplemented with a egg added with biotin. I was evaluated the dry matter intake, weight gain, absolute and relative weight (weight of the empty body and weight stomach full) of the four stomach compartments, and papillae height of four rumen regions. The experimental diets did not affect any of the traits, being shown a relationship between animal performance and development of gastric compartments. The development of calf stomachs was not affected by the tested liquid diets, therefore enabling the replacement of 50% of milk for cheese whey.

biotin; cheese whey; egg; milk replacer; papillae


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