The objective of this trial was to study the effects of replacing milk with whole milk or fermented colostrum, supplemented or not with soy oil and with or without growth promoter (Zeranol) on performance of 40 F1 Holstein x Gir calves averaging 36 kg. Weight gain, thoracic circumference, withers height and milk or fermented colostrums intake, and concentrated ration intake were the variables investigated from age 15 to 60 days. No significant difference on feed intake was observed when whole milk and Zeranol were fed. Feed intake of animals fed fermented colostrum with Zeranol increased by 44.23% than those without Zeranol and by 132% than those fed whole milk with Zeranol. No effects of feeding soy oil with Zeranol on gain weight was detected. Calves fed milk and Zeranol had greater withers height (85.70 cm). Supplementation of the liquid diet with soy oil and with Zeranol did not change thoracic circumference (average of 88.19 cm). Calves fed both liquid diet showed constant and similar growth rate. Fermented colostrum-based diet can promote the same weight gain as whole milk-based diet.
colostrum; whole milk; soy oil; thorax circumference; withers height; Zeranol
