author(s)
SK George, MK Muhammad Aslam, K Lalu and MT Dipu

abstract
The mortality rate among calves up to the age of 6 months was around 15% for a period of 3 months at Base Farm, Kolahalamedu Idukki District, Kerala. The animals had clinical signs such as diarrhea, high temperature, anemia, weight loss, rough hair coat, staggering gait, weakness and debility. Examination of faecal samples and blood smear revealed the occurrence of gut as well as blood parasites. In certain calves the symptoms indicated bacterial/viral enteric infections. Conventional treatment protocols such as deworming, and administration of antibiotics/ anti haemoprotozoan drugs, could lower the mortality to a certain extent. Along with conventional treatment/management methods, oral administration of half an egg/calf/day could stop the occurrence of death in the calves completely for one month. Therefore, it is recommended to include chicken egg in the ration of calves reared in conditions prone to infections until the age of 6 months.