Effects of Supplementing Herbs on Growth Performances, Blood Composition and Diarrhea in Hanwoo Calves

• Published in: Journal of Animal Science and Technology Vol. 53; no. 5
• Main Authors: Kim, B.K., Gyeongsangbuk-do Livestock Research Institute, Yeoungju, Republic of Korea, Choi, C.B., Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea, Lee, S.O., Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea, Baek, K.H., Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea, Jung, D.J., Gyeongsangbuk-do Livestock Research Institute, Yeoungju, Republic of Korea, Hwang, E.G., Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 01.10.2011
• Subjects: DIARREA; DIARRHEE; DIARRHOEA; Growth Performance; Hanwoo Calves; Herb resources
• ISSN: 1598-9429

The current study was conducted to determine the effects of herbal supplement on growth performances and diarrhea in Hanwoo calves. Total 24 Hanwoo calves (3 treatments: 8 calves per treatment) were randomly assigned to either Control (no treatment), Treatment 1 (0.3% herb supplement), or Treatment 2 (0.5% herb supplement) diets for 150 days. Total body weight gain and total feed intake per head in Treatment 1 was 142.8 kg and 545.9 kg, respectively, and it was higher (p less than 0.05) compared to other groups. The blood total cholesterol range was 86.43~97.00 mg/dl, triglycerides 13.26~13.86 mg/dl, GOT 76.97~79.60 mg/dl, GPT 19.54~20.97 mg/dl, WBC 8.75~9.95 k/㎕, RBC 10.14~11.91 M/㎕, and hemoglobin 10.74~11.20 g/㎗, respectively, with no significant (p greater than 0.05) differences among treatments. The blood immunoglobulin G levels were 5.74~6.05 mg/ml which tended to decrease as experimental period extended. Total number of pathogens in feces showed peaks at 1~2 months after the initiation of experiment, and tended to decrease thereafter. Total number of Eimeria spp., E. coli and BVDV in feces showed no significant differences but control group showed higher counts than both treatment groups. During overall period, the incidence of pathogenic diarrhea in calves of 2 treatment groups was much lower than control group calves (C: 24, vs T1: 9, T2: 13 heads), however, it was not significant (p greater than 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of herbs in Hanwoo calf diets might be beneficial to improve growth performances and prevent diarrhea.