This study evaluated the effects of a commercial symbiotic product containing a probiotic
(E. faecium), a prebiotic (Fructooligosaccharide) and a phytogenic compound (sea algaeextract) on performance and health of Holstein diary calves. 29 newborn calves were assigned by sex and birth date to 10 blocks and allocated to 3 treatments; control (CON, n = 9); CON supplemented with symbiotic via milk (5 g /calf /d) from d 3 of age (SYN3; n = 10); and CON supplemented with symbiotic via milk from d 30 of age (SYN30; n = 10). Calves were abruptly weaned based on the consumption of a minimum of 680 g/d of starter feed for 3 consecutive d and immediately moved to group pens, where they received the respective additives via starter feed until d 75. Body weight (BW) and body growth measures were recorded biweekly during preweaning and weekly during postweaning period. Feces were scored weekly and sampled on d 14, 42 and 70. Blood samples were taken on weaning day, 24 h postweaning and d 75. During the first 2 wk of the experiment, BW decreased in the CON and SYN30 groups (890 and 240 g, respectively), while it was increased numerically in SYN3 group (+500 g). Mean BW was higher in SYN30 than SYN3 and CON groups (62.9 vs. 59.9, and 59.2 kg, respectively, P < 0.05). However, treatments did not affect final weight, ADG, preweaning starter intake, and weaning age. Also, there were no significant differences between treatments in fecal microbial count and blood parameters. Overall, except for a higher mean BW in SYN30 treatment, simultaneous supply of pre and probiotics and phytogenics as well as time of supplementation did not affect performance and health-related parameters in dairy calves.
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