Division of Dairy Cattle Nutrition, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal13001, India
Online published on 5 January, 2012.
Growth rate, DM consumption, body composition and nutrient utilization efficiencies were studied in 20 crossbred growing calves divided into 4 equal groups and fed on wheat straw ad lib (A) and replaced with 7.5 per cent NaOH treated rice husk at 33 (B),66 (C) and 100 per cent (D) levels. The DCP requirements of all animals were met through concentrate mixture. Growth rate as well as DM consumption of animals were higher (P<0.01) in group A than other groups which did not differ from each other, however, DM intake per kg body weight gain was 10.73 ± 0.83, 11.61 ± 0.76, 12.36 ± 1.62 and 10.78 ± 0.48 kg (P > 0.05) in groups A, B, C and D, respectively. Body composition in terms of water, protein, fat and ash percentage was almost similar In four groups of animals. Protein retention efficiency (PRE) was not affected due to treatment effect. However, energy retention efficiency (ERE) was lower (P < 0.05) in rice husk fed groups (B 6.66 per cent, C 6.21 per cent D 6.40 per cent) than in control group (8.57 per cent).
