Potential of a Feed Additive (Tween 80) in Growing Crossbred Calves

Fourteen crossbred male calves were divided into two groups of 7 each. Calves in group 1 was given control (C) diet while those in treatment group were given calculated amount of Tween 80 (0.10%) mixed in a small quantity of concentrate mixture during a period of 120 days. All the animals were fed concentrate and roughage in a ratio of 50:50 (DM basis). The roughages comprised of green maize and wheat straw mixed in the ratio of 2: 1. The DM intake (kg/day) and nutrients digestibility were higher (P<0.05) in treatment group than in control group. The daily body weight (gain/day) was higher in treatment group (606.79 g) than in control group (534.23 g). It was concluded that Tween 80 has a potential as feed additive for improving nutrient digestibility and body weight gain in crossbred calves maintained on wheat straw based diet.