Bacterial and Volatile Fatty Acid Production Rates in Crossbred Calves Fed Chemically Preserved Maize Fodder

Twelve male crossbred rumen fistulated calves (1–2 yrs, 178.7 to 220.7 kg) were divided into four groups of three animals each. Control group was fed on ensiled maize fodder (without additive), while those of group I, II and III were fed dough stage maize fodder ensiled after treating with 0.’5% urea+1% common salt, 0.25% urea+0.5% common salt and 0.5% urea+0.5% common salt (w/w basis), Respectively for a period of 60 days. Bacterial production rate was 154.06 g/d in control group and increased by 66.69, 36.08 and 65.31% in other three groups, respectively. Bacterial production rates expressed on DM intake and digestible DM intake basis were higher in control group than in other groups. TVFA production rate (moles/day) also showed a similar trend wherein it was 6.92 in control and enhanced by 53.6, 26.30 and 53.8% in other three groups, respectively. Rumen fluid volume was 19,53 S/d in control group and increased by 3.14,2.45 and 3.32 1/d in other treatment groups. Similarly, flow rate of liquid digesta was 31.39 1/d in control group and increased by 4.91, 2.93, 6.31% in other groups. It was concluded that bacterial production rate, total VFA production rate, rumen fluid volume and flow rate of liquid digesta were higher in calves fed urea plus common salt (0.5 and 1%) treated maize fodder than those fed 0.25% urea+0.5% salt treated and control silages.