Calf starter containing a blend of essential oils and prebiotics affects the growth performance of Holstein calves

ABSTRACT Essential oils extracted from specific plants can exhibit antimicrobial properties that make them potential antibiotic alternatives. The objective was to evaluate an essential oil and prebiotic combination (EOC) on the growth, development, and health status of growing neonatal calves. Forty Holstein newborn calves were blocked by birth date and alternately assigned to 1 of 2 treatments. Treatments were a pelleted calf starter (CS) without (control) or with EOC at 44.1 ppm. Calves were fed the experimental CS for ad libitum consumption from 3 d of age through the end of the 70-d experiment. Calves were fed 2 L of whole milk twice daily to 10 d of age, then 3 L twice daily through d 35, and then fed 3 L once daily with abrupt weaning occurring after 42 d of age. The average daily gain (0.78 and 0.87 kg/d for control and EOC, respectively) was greater for calves fed EOC compared with calves fed the control. Calves fed EOC demonstrated greater dry matter intake (1.63 and 1.74 kg/d) compared with calves fed the control. Feed conversion ratio (0.62 and 0.65 kg of gain/kg of dry matter intake) was greater for calves fed EOC compared with calves fed the control. At 70 d of age, calves fed EOC demonstrated increased body frame measurements (hip height, body length, heart girth, abdominal girth, and pastern) compared with calves fed the control. The incidence of scours score 4 (mild diarrhea) was 3.5 incidences lower for calves fed EOC compared with calves fed the control, whereas the incidence of scours score 5 (severe diarrhea) for calves fed EOC was 0.5 incidences lower than calves fed the control. Blood concentrations of IgG and IgM on d 14, IgA on d 28, and total serum protein on d 42 were all greater for calves fed EOC compared with calves fed the control. The blood volatile fatty acid concentrations were greater for calves fed EOC compared with calves fed the control, which indicated enhanced ruminal development. Total-tract digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, starch, and many minerals were increased for calves fed EOC compared with calves fed the control. The inclusion of an EOC blend into a CS demonstrates promising benefits for enhancing calf growth, ruminal development, gut health, nutrient digestibility, and immunity. The use of an EOC blend can be a plausible alternative to feeding subtherapeutic antibiotics for improving calf performance, health, and immunity.