Effect of supplementation of minerals and vitamins on growth performance of indigenous heifers

This study was carried out to study the effect of supplementation of minerals and vitamins on growth rate, body weight gain and cost of feeding in heifers. Twelve indigenous heifers (10 to16 months age) were divided into three similar groups, 4 in each group on the basis of body weight. The heifers of treatment group (T₁) were fed with Jowar kadbi ad lib + 5 kg green fodder + 1.0 kg concentrate mixture. In treatment group (T₂) animals were fed with Jowar kadbi ad lib + 5 kg green fodder + 1.0 kg concentrate mixture + 30 gm mineral mixture. Animals in treatment group (T₃) were fed with Jowar kadbi ad lib + 5 kg green fodder + 1.0 kg concentrate mixture + 30 gm minerals blended with vitamins mixture. Total body weight gains per animal were 17.84, 25.95 and 26.72 kg in T₁, T₂ and T₃. Average daily gain was 0.318, 0.463 and o.478 kg in T₁, T₂ and T₃ respectively. Feed conversion efficiency was the highest (P<0.05) in heifers of T₃ followed by T₂ and the lowest (P<0.05) in control (T₁) Daily dry matter intake per 100 kg body weight was 4.63, 4.08 and 4.23 kg and water intake was 10.62, 13.78 and 13.84 kg in T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively which was similar in three groups. Present Investigation revealed that vitamin and mineral supplementation was beneficial for ADG and feed conversion efficiency.