Effect of Feeding Dry Poultry Excreta on Growth Rate and Certain Blood Metabolites in Crossbred Heifers

Twelve crossbred heifers (1.5 to 2.0 years of age) were randoml d istribiited into two equal groups and fed on rations containing 0 (T₁) and 30 (T₂) per cent dry poultry excreta (DPE) individually for 120 days. The DM intake was similar in both the groups, however TDN and DCP intake and digestibility coefficient of DM, CP, EE, CF, NFE and OM were significantly higher in treatment group (T₂) than in control group (T₁). The growth rate remained similar between the groups. Blood metabolites such as Hb, RBC, WBC, PCV and glucose were similar in groups T₁ and T₂, whereas, blood urea showed significantly (P<0.01) higher values in treatment group although the values were within the normal range.