Effect of Dietary Source of Oil Cakes on Body Measurements in Crossbred Calves

Eighteen crossbred (KS and KF) male calves (4-5m, 78–83Kg), divided In three groups of 6 each, were fed OBI concentrate mixture containing either groundnut cake (GNC group), expeller pressed mustard cake (MC groups) or rapeseed cake (RSC group) on isonitrogenous basis. Monthly body weight and body measurements viz body length, (L) height at wither (H) and heart girth (G) were recorded. Correlation coefficient of body weight and body measurements was high and significant, which suggested that there was no differential effect of dietary oil cakes on overall growth of crossbred calves. Multiple linear regression equation was used to determine the effect of L, H and G on the body weight of calves and found that the effect of heart girth on body weight was snore strong followed by length amid height. The individual regression coefficients showed that for every one cm Increase in length, height and girth, the average body weight is expected, to increase by 3.62,3.55 and 3.08 kg in GNC group, 3.50,3.61 and 3.02 Kg in MC group and 3.37, 2.56 and 2.91 kg in RSC group respectively. Body measurements In various combinations did not improve the R² value of the equation. The results suggested that the measurement of girth or length could be accurately used for predicting the body weight of crossbred calves during 4–13 months of age Irrespective of their feed although heart girth measurement could give the highest accuracy.