Effect of Creep Feeding Supplementation on Growth Performance and Metabolic Characteristics of Nellore Heifers

• Published in: Ruminants 2023-12, Vol.3 (4), p.457-467
• Main Authors: da Paixão, Robert T., Detmann, Edenio, Marcondes, Marcos I., da Silva Júnior, Jarbas M., Sampaio, Claudia B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: beef cattle; growth; leptin; metabolism; puberty
• ISSN: 2673-933X; 2673-933X
• DOI: 10.3390/ruminants3040037

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effects of creep feeding supplementation during the preweaning phase on the growth performance and metabolic characteristics of Nellore heifers. Forty-two female Nellore calves (age = 100 ± 25 d; initial body weight (BW) = 113.4 ± 16.6 kg) were randomly assigned to the following treatments: control, where calves received mineral mix supplementation (n = 21); supplemented in creep feeding, where calves received 6 g/kg BW of a concentrate supplement (n = 21) during a period of 140 d. In the postweaning phase, all heifers received 6 g/kg BW of a concentrate supplement during a period of 210 d. Supplemented heifers had a greater average daily gain (ADG) than control heifers during the preweaning phase and, consequently, were heavier at weaning and at the end of the growing phase (p < 0.05). However, preweaning supplementation did not influence (p > 0.05) the body measurements or BW at the end of the growing period. Greater (p < 0.05) rib fat was observed in supplemented heifers. Concentrations of metabolites were not affected by preweaning supplementation (p > 0.05). Thus, supplementing heifers in the preweaning phase improved growth performance of weaning and body adiposity.