Growth of gir calves at different planes of nutrition

An experiment was conducted to assess the growth in Gir calves at different planes of nutrition. Weaned Gir calves (18 of equal sex, 352.7±17 d old of 143.5±10.8 kg BW) divided in to three equal groups were offered ration containing DCP either 90,100 or 110% of ICAR feeding standard (1985) for 26 wks. DMI (kg/d) was higher (P<0.05) in T₃ than in T₂ and T₁, DMI (% BW) was higher (P<0.01) in T₃ and T₁ than in T₂. Water consumption/kg DM was higher (P<0.01) on low plane of nutrition (T₂). Calves under T₃ gained higher (P<0.01) body weight than T₂ and T₁ groups. Treatment and sex had highly significant (P<0.01) influence on average body weight gain. Treatment effect on biometry of claves was non-significant, except for height at withers. Feed conversion efficiency and cost of feed per kg live weight gain were not affected due to treatment. The results indicated that Gir calves responded better in terms of growth on higher plane of DCP.