Palatability and Nutritive Value of Kosum, (Schle-Ichera Oleosa) Cake Based Diets in Growing Calves
Abstract
Two kg concentrate mixture (20% CP) either without expeller pressed kosum cake (EPKC) or with 17.5 or 35 per cent EPKC replacing 50 and 100 per cent nlger cake N of control ration was fed to cross bred calves (10-12m) of groups I, II and III, respectively along with two kg seasonal green fodder and chaffed paddy straw ad lib. DM Intake/100 kg body weight and DM digestibilities were 3.06, 3.02, 3.14 kg and 62.18, 66.21 and 57.94 per cent, respectively, for groups I, II, III and the variation among groups was not significant. Variations among groups for CP, CF, NFE, TCHO and OM digestibilities and balances of N and P were also not significant. However, digestibility of EE was significantly (P<0.05) lower in group I than in groups II and IIICa balance was, significantly (P< 0.05) lower in groups in than in groups I and II. The DCP, TDN and SE values of the diets were 6.78, 7.48, 6.91, 62.51, 64.33, 60.08, 55.14, 55.64, 52.37 per cent for groups I, II and III, respectively. It was concluded that diets containing EPKC are palatable and EPKC can be used as an energy and protein supplement for ruminants.
