Effects of feeding pistachio by-products silage on growth performance, serum metabolites and urine characteristics in Holstein male calves

Summary This study investigated physiological effects of pistachio by‐products silage (PBPS) substituted in Holstein male calves diets and its effects on the growth performance. Twenty‐four Holstein male calves (4–5 months of age and 155.6 ± 13.5 kg BW) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets (n = 6); contained 0%, 6%, 12% and 18% of PBPS (DM basis) respectively. During a 6‐month experiment, dry matter intake (DMI) and weight gain were recorded and blood and urine samples were collected at different times. Results showed that mean DMI was not affected by different levels of PBPS in diets. But the calves fed 6% PBPS had the highest average daily gain (p