EFFECT OF ADDITIONAL SOLID FEEDS SUPPLY O N GASTROINTESTINAL MOTILITYOF PRERUMINANT CALF

Ten Pie-Noire 8-days old calves were used to study effect of an additi onal solid feeds supply on rumen, reticulum, abomasum and duodenum mot ility until 4 months of age. Animals were allocated in two groups of 5 : one reference group fed whole milk and one experimental group recea ving in addition solid feed. Results showed that solid feed supply to preruminant calves induced a cyclic activity of reticulorumen from 4 w eeks of age, an increase of rumination duration and a regularization o f intestinal motricity from 2 months of age.