Our objective was to evaluate addition of a fatty acid supplement and calf starter form on intake, growth and digestion of calves to 4 mo of age. Forty-eight male Holstein calves (2–3 d of age; initial BW = 41.9 kg ± 0.7 kg) were assigned randomly to a textured (TS) or pelleted (PS) calf starter (CS) and with (FA+) or without (FA-) fatty acid supplementation (NeoTec5g, Provimi) in milk and CS. Reconstituted whole milk powder (25% CP, 29% fat) was fed at 0.66 kg of DM/d to 39 d, then 0.33 kg of DM/d to weaning at 42 d. Calves were housed in individual pens to d 56 and in group pens (4/pen) from d 57–112. Calves were offered CS to d 56 and 95% CS + 5% chopped grass hay from d 57–112. Feed offered and refused was weighed daily. Body weight and hip width were measured at d 0, weekly to d 56, and on d 85 and 112. Fecal samples were collected during wk 4, 6, 8, 10, 13 and 16 for total-tract digestibility (TTD) measurement using acid insoluble ash as a marker. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized block design with repeated measures using calf as experimental unit from d 0–56 and pen from d 57–112. From d 0–56, CS form had no effect on intake or growth but FA+ increased average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.02), gain to feed ratio (G:F; P = 0.02) and hip width change (HWC; P = 0.03). Least squares means (LSM) of ADG, starter DMI (SDMI), G:F and HWC for calves fed FA+ and FA- from d 0–56 were 0.73 and 0.66 kg/d; 0.92 and 0.85 kg/d; 0.58 and 0.53; and 4.5 and 3.9 cm, respectively. Form of CS had no effect on performance from d 57–112, but FA+ increased ADG and HWC (P < 0.01) and tended to increase G:F (P = 0.09). The LSM of ADG, DMI, G:F and HWC for calves fed FA+ and FA- from d 57–112 were 1.16 and 1.05 kg/d; 3.15 and 3.30 kg/d; 0.38 and 0.33; and 5.3 and 4.6 cm, respectively. Calves fed FA+ had greater TTD of most nutrients during wk 4, 6 and 8. Starch TTD was greater in calves fed TS during wk 4, 6 and 8, but lower during wk 10, 13 and 16. These data suggest that FA+ improved animal performance at least partially by improving TTD. Feeding TS increased TTD of starch the first 8 wk, but depressed starch digestion from wk 8–16.