Effect  adding different levels of calcium on performance and growth in Iraqi calves.

	Effect adding different levels of calcium on performance and growth in Iraqi calves.
Euphrates Journal of Agriculture Science
Article 1, Volume 5, Issue 1, 2013, Pages 50-64
Abstract
Abstract : This study was conducted to investigate different levels of pure calcium in the fattening diets of Iraqi calves.This study was implemented on twenty-four male calves with age of 8-9 months in Bartella station of animal production that located in south of Iraq.Animals were fed on four fattening rations of similar level of crude protein and metabolizable energy with different levels of calcium .These animals were daily grazing on pastures for six hours until the end experiment.Feed was available ad libitum for all groups. These calves were fed on experimental diets for 120 days (fatting period).The average initial weight of calves at the beginning of the experiment 115.50, 115.33, 115.83, 115.16 kg, respectively, and those calves were distributed randomly into four treatments (0, 0.50, 1.00 and 1.50% calcium powder) with six calves per each treatment. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in final weight, total and daily weight gains between the second, third and fourth treatments as compared with the first treatment (control diet)).Daily feed intake and feed conversion have not been analyzed statistically because of the group feeding of calves. Results of biochemical blood traits indicated that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in packed cell volume, sugar glucose blood and highly differences (P<0.01) in the average red blood cells counts, white blood cells counts,blood urea concentration and triglycerides between the experimental treatments than control treatment. While the results of blood proteins showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the average total protein concentration and highly significant differences (P<0.01) in the average globulin concentration between experimental treatments as compared the control treatment. The results of statistical analysis for mineral elements concentration specially calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the blood of calves showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the average concentration of calcium and highly differences significant (P<0.01) on the average concentration of phosphorus and magnesium between experimental treatments when compared the control treatment. In conclusion significant improvement at the calves performance was noted as increased calcium levels in the fattening diets as well as improvement of the some blood biochemical parameters like proteins and some mineral elements and especially in the last treatment (1.50% calcium) as compared with other treatments (0, 0.50, 1.00 calcium).

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