A Fe chelate was prepd. by complexation of FeCl2 with a casein hydrolyzate and added to a milk replacer or to whole milk used for nutrition of 40 Holstein-Friesian calves. The highest concn. of Fe in the blood of calves was found after addn. of the chelate to whole milk and after supplementation of the chelate to a milk replacer. The concens. of transferrin and transferrin saturation with Fe were the highest after addn. of the chelate to milk replacer. The additive was responsible for the Fe content in the calve diet.