Relation of Ration Composition to Rumen Development in Early-Weaned Dairy Calves with Observations on Ruminal Parakeratosis

Summary A calf starter containing VFA salts was compared with a control starter in terms of growth, health, ruminating activity, and rumen development of dairy calves. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the respective starters regarding weight gain and rumen development of calves to 39 days of age. The amount of feed consumed was closely associated with rumen development as indicated by statistically significant regressions (P All of the calves ruminated at 11 days of age; however, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between groups of calves in the amount of time spent ruminating at either 11 or 25 days of age. Five out of eight calves receiving the starter containing the VFA salts had some degree of ruminal parakeratosis as compared to one out of eight calves receiving the control starter. The cause of this condition was not determined.