Effect of crop residue based complete feed on growth performance of crossbred calves (HF x Deoni)

Abstract

ABSTRACT...... An experiment was conducted to study the effect of crop residue based complete feed on growth performance and cost of feeding on crossbred (HF x Deoni) calves. Eighteen calves of six to eighteen months were selected and distributed in three groups. In control treatment (T 0 ), the sorghum straw and concentrate used separately, in T 1 treatment sorghum straw and concentrate used as complete feed whereas in T 3 treatment sorghum and wheat straw in equal proportion (1:1) to form complete feed. The total average body weight gain and average daily gain per animal under T 0 , T 1 and T 2 treatments were 21.16 kg and 220 g, 24.8 kg and 258g and 26.66 kg and 227 g, respectively. The differences were non-significant among the treatments. The differences in body length and chest girth gain were significantly superior in T 2 treatment than T 0 and T 1 . The cost of feeding per kg body weight gain under T 0 , T 1 and T 2 treatments was Rs.47.78, 41.72 and 37.58, respectively. Cost per kg body weight gain of crossbred calves was lower in complete feed (T 2 ), indicated that feeding of sorghum and wheat straw in equal proportion by forming complete feed is economical.