Herbal Rumenotoric Drugs and Their Effect on Digestion and Growth Performance of Crossbred Calves

The aim of present study to evaluate the effect of market drug (Rumizyme) andself formulated rumenotoric drug onthe growth performance, dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility coefficient and rumen pH of crossbred calves. For said purpose the investigation was carried out in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India with Twenty seven crossbred calves weighing about 77 to 80 kg (6 to 12 months of age) were selected and divided randomly into three similar group(3 animals ineach) for three different trials (1^st Trial, 2^nd Trial and 3^rd Trial) and each trial was conducted for 60 days excluding pre experimental period. All the calves were fed on seasonally available feeds and fodders to meet out the nutritional requirement as per NRC, 1989 recommendation. Group T₂ and T₃ were supplemented with marketed drug (one bolus/day) and self formulated rumenotoric drug (40gm/day) respectively and group T₁ (control) was fed without any drug. During each trial at 15, 30, 45 & 60 days of interval the body weight, heart girth circumferences, DMI, digestibility coefficient and rumen pH were analyzed. Herbs used in the rumenotoric drugs not only improve the appetite, digestion process but also it stimulates the growth parameters and improves the immune system. There was significant increase (P<0.05) in heart girth circumferences, DMI and digestibility coefficient than control group but body weight showed no significant difference between treatments and periods. DM digestibility was significantly lower (p<0.05) in calves getting ration without drugs.