Performance of neonatal calves fed kitchen herbs and probiotics dissolved in whole milk up to weaning age.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is widespread in neonatal calves, often treated with antibiotics. However, prolonged use of these antibiotics may promote problems of antimicrobial resistance. AIMS: The experiment was carried out to determine the effect of feeding cinnamon, turmeric, carom seed powder, and probiotics fortified milk on the health and growth performance of Jersey crossbred calves. METHODS: A complete randomized block design was applied with 4 treatments of 10 calves in each experimental unit. All experimental groups except the control group were offered herbs, probiotics and a mixture of both, respectively for 3 months. RESULTS: Calves fed herb-probiotic mixture had significantly higher dry matter intake (DMI) from concentrates (P<0.05, 0.72 kg), dry matter intake (DMI) per 100 kg body weight (P<0.05, 2.30 kg) and had better fecal scores (P<0.05, 1.19±0.07) when compared to the other treatment groups. Simultaneously, there was an increase in the Lactobacillus sp. (P<0.05, 7.58±0.44 CFU/g) with markedly reduced E. coli counts (P<0.01, 4.93±0.41 CFU/g) when the herb-probiotics combination was fed as compared to the control calves. Also, the average duration of illness was lowest in the herb-probiotic group (3.38±0.59 days), with higher serum total protein levels (P<0.05, 5.33±0.15 g/dL). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that feeding herb-probiotic mixtures reduced calf diarrhea and improved dry matter intake in calves.