Animal Nutrition Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243122, India
Online published on 5 January, 2012.
Effect of Incorporation of 45% solvent extracted neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seed cake (DNSC) in the concentrate mixture of growing crossbred calvess,6-9 m; 67-156 kg) was studied and compared with those fed control concentrate mixture. A. significant (P<0.01) depression In the growth rate of DNSC fed group was observed within a period of 75 d. Inspite of the bitters present, increased DM Intake in the DNSC group than nhe eontrol group indicated the good acceptability of the DNSC. However, the digestibility of all the nutrients and retention of N and Ca were significantly low under the DNSC ration. A reduction of 17% in the TDN Intake, inspite of high DM intake, could not explain for 46% depression in the growth rate of calves in the DNSC group. It was concluded that the neem bitters available at 45% level of DNSC were responsible for depressing the growth rate.
