Probiotics

[rnh2]

Anyone use probiotics? What are the results? Advantages?

 

[Son of Butch]

We used probiotics back when we had bottle calves. They worked great in preventing scours.
IMO the very best use is in bottle calves and the results were easy to measure.
We still use them in animals under stress, but honestly can't tell if they help much or not.
I believe they do help or we wouldn't be using them.
But I couldn't prove it to you with any sort of reliable measurable results.

 

[devonian]

I give two squirts orally for every newborn calf it won't do any harm and I think there is evidence that it has positive effects with scours.

 

[TexasBred]

When we were in the dairy business we gave probiotics to every new calf, a dose to the calf's mom and then anytime a cow had to be put through the chute for any purpose we gave her another dose. Just saw it as a bit of cheap insurance. We used a product called Fastrack.

 

[CG1]

Bottle calves yes. Especially the dairy breed bottle calves. A lot of bottle calf I’ve taken in came with a bad case of the runs and for whatever reason jersey calves seem to get it the worst. Probiotics and electrolytes I feed until they are stable and eating grain and hay or if they have the runs or have taken antibiotics for whatever reason. Whether it works or not I don’t know. When I first started taking in bottle calves I started with the sickest ones. Took in the ones that needed me most. A dairy farmer neighbour gave me a regiment, I’ve always followed it, my bottle calves have always thrived.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

It is great to use if an animal "goes off feed" or has any major stress. We keep a tube of Probias around all the time. Our show cattle are fed a pellet with probiotics in it.