The effect of different methods of housing calves after birth on the incidence of Cryptosporidium sp

: On the Hrdĕjovice farm belonging to the Agricultural Co-operative Farm Dukla Hosin, district Ceske Budĕjovice, three groups of new-born calves housed in different ways were compared as to the occurrence of the Cryptosporidium coccidia, scours and as to the overall health condition. Cryptosporidium infections and scours were observed in all 19 calves, independently of the fact whether they were housed for 10 to 16 days after birth at the stalls together with the dams, on the litter in a special area of the farm or in individual cages. The earliest occurrence of Cryptosporidium sp. coccidia and of scours was observed in the calves housed on litter (third day). In the calves housed at the stalls with the dams, cryptosporidia occurred beginning the fourth day, scours beginning the sixth day of age. As the last were infected the calves housed in individual cages, i. e. on the sixth day when the scours onset was observed. The application of Chronicin, Duon, Axetonal and Rehyvet resulted in a certain improvement of the health conditions of calves, however, the occurrence of scours continued. The application of Sulfakombin had no effect. Under production conditions of this farm cryptosporidiosis is to be considered enteric infection of the new-born calves.