Effect of Plane of Nutrition on the Water Metabolism in Crossbred Male Calves

Sixteen Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal male calves of average age of 197 days, distributed into 4 groups of 4 each in a factorial experiment of randomized block design, were fed on rations containing DCP and TDN in stipulated ratios of 100:100; 100:130; 130:100 and 130:130 percent of their requirements. The average DM to water intake ratio ranged from 1:4.149 to 1:5.095. Major source of water loss in all the calves was through urine. Also the animals consuming higher amounts of DCP excreted maximum quantity of urine. The water intake per 100 Kcal GE, DE and ME intake ranged from 80 to 100 ml, 130 to 167 ml and 158 to 204 ml, respectively. On the basis of DM: Water intake ratio, the water requirement of the crossbred calves ranged from 4.149 to 5.096 kg per kg DM intake.