Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Purpose of Milk Replacer
Milk replacer is substitute for:
- Whole milk — Correct Answer
- Calf starter
- Colostrum
- None
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Whole milk
A milk replacer is specifically a substitute for whole milk in the diet of young calves. It is used to reduce the cost of feeding whole milk while still meeting the nutritional needs of the calf.
Calf Nutrition — Stages
| Stage | Feed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Birth – 3 days | Colostrum | Passive immunity transfer; immunoglobulins |
| Up to 90 days | Whole milk | Growth; digestive development |
| From 2nd week | Calf starter | Rumen development; early weaning |
| Milk replacer | Substitute for whole milk | Cost reduction; same nutritive value as whole milk |
Calf Starter — Key Values
- DCP: 18.5–19.5%
- CP: 23–26%
- TDN: 75%
- Introduce from 2nd week of age
- Dry feed intake → initiates rumen development → allows early weaning
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- Calf starter → a solid feed introduced alongside milk; not what milk replacer replaces
- Colostrum → first milk; cannot be replaced by a milk replacer (immunoglobulins are unique)
- None → incorrect; whole milk is specifically what milk replacer substitutes
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
