Effect of Feeding Cotton Seed Extraction on Haematological and Biochemical Values in Crossbred Calves

Eighteen female crossbred (HF x Jersey) calves (4 to 15 months, 60 to 210 kg h.wt.) were divided into three groups of six each. Calves in group T₀ fed with concentrate mixture (CM) containing groundnut extraction (GNE) and sunflower extraction (SFE). These extractions were replaced by incorporating cotton seed extraction (CSE) containing free gossypol (0.0065%) at 15 and 30% in the CM of group T and T₂, respectively. Average daily body weight gain in groups T₀, T₁ and T₂ were 0.397±0.04, 0.389±0.02 and 0.488±0.02 kg, respectively and variations among groups were non-significant. The haemoglobin values of T₁ and T₂ groups were less (P<0.05) compared to T₀ either at 70th day or 112th day. The TSP, PCV, BUN, LDH and SCOT values did not differ among groups, indicating that the incorporation of CSE up to 30% in the CM of dairy calves did not exert any ill-effects.