Effect of feeding different ratios of green fodder and straw supplemented with wheat bran on the performance of male crossbred calves

Abstract

Twenty male crossbred calves of about one year of age (average body weight, 196 kg) were distributed in four equal groups following complete randomized design. Wheat bran was supplemented to four different combinations of wheat straw and green fodder (Sorghum vulgare) at 40:60, 30:70, 20:80 and 10:90 ratios (on as fed basis) for the feeding of animals in Group 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The feeding trial was continued for a period of 70 days including one metabolism trial of 6 days collection of feed, faeces and urine sample to determine the intake and utilization of nutrients. The intakes (g/kg W0.75W0.75) of DM, TDN and CP were 93.0±1.893.0±1.8, 55.5±1.155.5±1.1 and 9.51±0.189.51±0.18 in Group 1; 98.0±1.898.0±1.8, $59.6(pm)1.1$ and 10.33±0.1910.33±0.19 in Group 2; 98.1±2.498.1±2.4, 60.5±1.560.5±1.5 and 10.79±0.2610.79±0.26 in Group 3; and 97.7±1.797.7±1.7, 59.1±1.059.1±1.0 and 10.78±0.1910.78±0.19 in Group 4, respectively. The digestibility of nutrients did not differ significantly among the groups. Relatively higher nutrient intake and balances of nitrogen reflected non - significantly high her live weight gain in the later three groups (436, 439 and 464 g, respectively) as compared to Group 1 (400 g). The DM intake remained unchanged by increasing the proportion of green fodder beyond 20:80 ratio and thus was assessed to be satisfactory for optimum productivity in animals.