Nutrient Digestibility and Growth in Crossbred (HF × Deoni) Calves Fed Shevra (Alysicarpus rugosus) Hay in Replacement of Concentrate Mixture

Fifteen crossbred (HF × Deoni) calves (Age - 183 to 323 days, Av. B. Wt. - 80.50 kg) were randomly distributed into 3 groups of 5 animals each. Shevra hay was used in place of concentrate mixture to replace 50, 65 and 80% of its CP in treatments T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively thereby contributing 25, 32.5 and 40% of dietary CP. The Shevra hay contained 12.60, 33.65, 2.95, 41.14 and 9.65%, CP, CF, EE, NFE and ash, respectively. DM intake was comparable in all the groups. DCP intake as per cent body weight of calves was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T₃ in comparison to T₂ and T₁, however, it was similar in T₂ and T₁. TDN intake decreased slightly in T₁ and T₃, though there was no difference between T₁ and T₃. Digestibility of nutrients was higher in group T₂ as compared to group T₁ and T₃ except EE digestibility. Replacing concentrate mixture on nitrogen basis by Shevra hay did not have any adverse effect on the daily live weight gain or body measurements like height, length or chest girth in calves. The animals in T₁ and T₂ groups gained higher body weight with less amount of feed consumed followed by T₃ group. Shevra hay could be incorporated safely to provide up to 32.5% of CP in the diet of calves.