EFFECTS OF ORAL IRON SUPPLEMENTATION ON HAEMATOCRIT, LIVE WEIGHT GAIN AND HEALTH IN NEONATAL DAIRY CALVES

Forty neonate calves were used in this study. The animals were divided into two treatment (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. In the treatment group, oral iron as ferrous sulphate was supplemented to each calf at the dose of 150 mg/day for 28 days, from the birthday. Blood sampling was taken from jugular vein immediately after birth and on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after birth. Significant differences in haematocrit (PCV) levels were found between two groups on days 14, 21 and 28 (P<0.05). Total gain, mean daily gain and weight gain during 4th week of life was significantly higher in the treatment group than control group (P≤ 0.05). Chi-square test proved no significant difference between the two groups regarding the incidence of diseases.