Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
Sixteen calves were randomly allocated into two treatment groups, i.e. group A and B and were given a transition period from 6th to 8th week. Group A and B were offered with ad libitum berseem hay and green berseem respectively. A calf starter ration was offered ad libitum to both the groups. This study remained continued from 9th to 14th week of the age of the calves (six weeks). The results showed that the final mean value of body weight of group A (76.49±1.36 kg/calf) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of group B (72.41±1.38kg/calf). Mean feed conversion ratio (FCR) of group A (2.74±0.22 kg/kgBW) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of group B (6.95±0.63 kg/kgBW). Average consumption of berseem of group A (3.32±0.25 kg/day) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of group B (11.67± 1.023kg/day). Average consumption of calf starter ration (CS) of group A (7.5 ±0. 5223 kg/day) and group B (8.18±0.51kg/day) were non-significant (P>0.05). Average consumption of water of group A (49.56± 2.937 liter/day) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of group B (38.47±2.1178 liter/day). The generated income per calf of group A and group B was Rs. 22716.2/calf and Rs. 21060/calf with net profit of Rs. 3852.05/calf and Rs. 2157/calf, respectively. These figures showed that the calves in group A gave Rs. 1695.5/calf more net profit as compared to the calves of group B. It was concluded from this study that calves fed on berseem hay were more economical to rear and gave more profit as compared to the calves fed on green berseem.
References
Sarwar M, Khan MA, Nisa M. Nitrogen retention and chemical composition of urea treated wheat straw ensiled with organic acids or fermentable carbohydrates. Asian-Aust J Anim Sci 2003; 16(11): 1583.
https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2003.1583
Khan ZU, Khan S, Ahmad N, Raziq A. Investigation of mortality incidence and managemental practices in buffalo calves at commercial dairy farms in Peshawar city. J Agric Biol Sci 2007; 2(3): 16-22.
https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(91)78167-8
Quigley III, JD, Caldwell LA, Sinks GD, Heitmann RN. Changes in blood glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, and ketones in response to weaning and feed intake in young calves. J Dairy Sci 1991; 74(1): 250-257.
Khan AG. Survey, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), Islamabad 1993.
McDonald P, Edwards R A, Greenhalgh JFD, Morgan CA. Animal Nutrition. 5thedn. Longman Scientific and Rechnical Publications, Essex, England 1995; SBN-13: 978-1408204238 ISBN-10: 1408204231
Czister T, Stanciu G, Acantinai S. Feeding hay to the pre-ruminant calf: effects on growth and economics. Banat University of agricultural sciences, Calea Aradului 119, 300645, Timisoara, Romania. EAAP 55th Annual meeting, bled 2004.
https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)73380-9
Coverdale JA, Tyler HD, Quigley JD, Brumm JA. Effect of various levels of forage and form of diet on rumen development and growth in calves. Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames 500112. J Dairy Sci 2004; 87: 2554-2562.
Venkateswarlu M, Narasimha J. Effect of supplementation of mulberry hay with sorghum straw on nutrient utilization and growth in crossbred calves.Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. IOSR J Agric Vet Sci (IOSR-JAVS) 2013; 54-59.
Kertz AF, Prewitt LR, Ballam JM. Increased weight gain and effects on growth parameters of Holstein heifer calves from 3 to 12 months of age. J Dairy Sci 1987; 70(8): 1612-22.
https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(87)80189-3
Rashid MA, Pasha TN, Jabbar MA, Ijaz A. Changes in blood metabolites of early weaned Nili Ravi male buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves. Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences 2013; 23(4): 2013, 1067-1071.ISSN: 1018-7081.
Mousa SA, Orabi S. Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation Parameters and Selected Serum Macro and Micro Mineral in Egyptian Steers Fed on Berseem Hay. Glob Veterinaria 2014; 13(2): 233-236.
Jabbari H, Tabatabaei SN, Kordnejad E, Modarresii M, Tabeidian SA. Effects of dietary corn silage (CS) replacement with sorghum silage (SS) on performance of growing Steers.Department of Animal Science, Khorasgan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran Animal Science Research Institute, Safi-Abad, Dezful, Iran. Online J Anim Feed Res 2011; 1(1): 14-21.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2018 Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences