Effect of solid feed supplement on growth performance and rumen development of suckling yak calves

Fifteen 30-day-old male yak calves were randomly assigned to 3 groups. I group was only fed by milk replacer, II group was fed with milk replacer and starter feed, and III group was fed with milk replacer and alfafa hay twice per day. This study aims to investigate the effect of early weaning by supplying with alfalfa hay, starter feed or not, and milk replacer on rumen bacterial communities and on the growth of pre-weaned yak calves.