Effect of plane of nutrition on the performance of crossbred calves Sunetha Swati, Kumar Anil, Tiwari D.P., Mandal B.C., Singh D.V.1, Prakash Anand2, Singh Gagandeep2, Singh Manish Kr.3,* Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar-263145, India 1Department of LPM, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, India 2College of Veterinary Sciences, GADVASU, Rampura Phul, Bathinda, India 3College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, DUVASU, Mathura, India *Corresponding author: drmksingh_1@rediffmail.com
Online Published on 24 May, 2024. Abstract A feeding trial was carried out for 120 days to determine the effect of the plane of nutrition on crossbred calves performance. Twelve crossbred calves were randomly divided into two groups of six each with similar body weight. Growth study was conducted on the basis of feeding high and low energy ration containing 60% concentrate and 40% sorghum stover in group 1 and 40% concentrate and 60% sorghum stover in group 2. Mean dry matter intake was (P<0.05/0.01) higher in calves fed high level of concentrate. The average daily intake of total digestible nutrients and digestible crude protein and feed conversion ratio were higher (P<0.05/0.01) in group 1 compared to group 2. A high phenotypic correlation was observed amongst all the body measurements. Body condition score was higher in group 1 as compared to group 2. The results of the present study reveal that higher proportion of concentrate in the complete ration improved nutrient digestibility and higher energy availability possibly resulting in improved growth performance of the crossbred calves. Feeding of the diet comprised of 60% concentrate and 40% roughage would be beneficial in calves/heifers for attaining early maturity. Top Keywords Body condition score, Body measurement, Crossbred calves, Feed intake, Feeding trial. Top |