Changes in blood parameters of heifers during survival feeding

Abstract

Blood parameters were measured in groups of heifers fed survival rations of sorghum grain under different regimens. After being fed for 24 weeks a ration of 1.36 kg/head/day of whole or cracked sorghum grain at either daily or twice-weekly feeding intervals, heifers had lower haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in their blood, lower packed cell volumes and total red cell volumes (RCV), greater plasma volumes, blood volumes, and RCV per unit body weight and in general a greater quantity of circulating albumin than before survival feeding. Another group of heifers fed 1.64 kg of whole grain/head daily showed most of these changes. Although there were significant differences in body weight between the various treatments, there were few corresponding significant differences in the blood parameters. With the possible exception of total circulating Hb and albumin, the results indicated that bodyweight showed more changes interpretable in terms of efficacy of the survival! feeding regimens that did the blood parameters measured.