Effect of complete feed containing dried poultry litter on the performance of crossbred calves

Research trial was conducted for a period of fourteen weeks on eighteen crossbred (Gir x HF & Gir x J) female calves randomly divided into three equal groups and allotted to three feed treatments viz., conventional ration consisting of measured quantity of concentrate mixture and ad-lib chopped sorghum straw fed separately(R-1, control), complete feed (mash) incorporated with 10% (R-2) or 15% Dried Poultry Waste (DPW) (R-3) fed ad-lib as sole source of feed. The growth performance, nutrient utilization and economics of feeding was studied. The differences in mean growth rate in calves from all treatment groups were statistically non-significant. The differences in mean feed intake and feed:gain ratio in calves from all treatment groups were statistically significant. The digestibility of OM, DM, EE and NFE was higher for conventional ration when compared with other two complete feeds. Digestibility of and CP was highest for R-3. The digestibility for all the nutrients studied was higher on R-2 in comparison with R-3 except CP. The TDN and DCP content of R-1 ration was higher than R-2 and R-3 feeds. The average daily TDN and DCP by calves on conventional ration was significantly (P<0.05) higher than on complete feeds. Feeding cost per kg gain in live weight was considerably lower in calves fed with complete feed R-2 or R-3 in comparison with conventional ration (R-1). It is concluded that the complete feed containing dried poultry litter (DPL) upto 15% level can be successfully and economically used for feeding of growing calves without affecting their growth performance and nutrient utilization.