The effect of supplementing whole milk with juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus) aromatic water on growth andgeneral health parameters of holstein calves

Twelve Holstein calves were used in the study conducted to determine the effects of Juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus) aromatic water supplementation to milk on the growth and general health parameters of Holstein calves. Experiment groups was formed as; KNT: Calf starter (BB) + whole milk (control group), D1: BB + milk supplemented with 1.25% juniper aromatic water (KAAS), D2: BB + milk added KAAS by 2.5%, D3: BB + milk added KAAS by 5%. The effect of KAAS on calf weaning age and live weight (CA) was not found to be significant. However, the effect of CA increase in the 2nd week was found to be significant (P<0.05). The effect of KAAS supplementation on body depth measurement at 2 weeks and cidago and hip height at 4 and 5 weeks were significant (P<0.05). KAAS supplementation tended to increase calves feed consumption (P>0.05). The numerical difference between calves' respiratory rate, pulse rate, respiratory score, fecal score and rectal temperature values was found to be significant (P<0.05). The effect of KAAS supplementation on D1 was found tobe significant for standing, eating and enviromental care behaviours (P<0.05). The supplementation of KAAS caused more sleeping behaviorus (P<0.05). Material licking behaviour was observed mostly in the control group and in calves D2. The effect of KAAS on biochemical blood analysis was not found to be significant (P>0.05). As a result, the supplementation of KAAS showed improvement in calves live weight and body measurements. In addition, the supplementation of KAAS lowered or decreated the frequency of occurence of calves diarrhea and disease. The best growth was observed in D1 the supplementation of 1.25% juniper successor.