National Research Centre on Mithun Jharnapani, Medziphema, Nagaland-797 106, India
The present study was undertaken to assess the feed intake and its utilization in mithun on supplementation of rice bran with green forage based diet. Six mithun calves were distributed into 2 groups of 3 animals each and fed either ad lib natural grass or supplemented with 2.0 kg rice bran along with ad lib natural grass daily for one month. Feed intake of mithun calves was 2.85±0.02 kg and 2.98±0.04 kg per 100 kg body weight in both the groups, respectivsly. Digestibility coefficients of nutrients were similar in two groups except CP and NFE. Higiher dtgestitbiiity coefficient value of crude fibre and total carbohydrates were observed in calves irrespective of their group variation. DCP and TDN intake were significantly (P<0.05) higher in rice bran supplemented group. The results indicated that rice bran supplementation with green forage improves the intake of nutrients and nutritive value of diet in mithun calves.
Mithun, Rice bran, Natural grass, Feed intake, Digestibility coefficient
