Effect of zinc and iodine supplementation on the intake and digestibility of nutrients by crossbred heifers
2003
Tekleyohannes Berhanu(Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Sinana (Ethiopia)) | I.S. Agrawal(G.B. Plant University of Agriculture and Technology (India). Animal Nutrition)
A digestibility trial of seven days was carried out using 18 growing crossbred (Sahiwal x Jersey) heifers (19-25 months 100-209 kg) to assess effects of iodine and zinc + iodine supplementation on the intake and digestibility of nutrients. The heifers were divided in three groups and a basal roughage ration (iodine 0.178 ppm zinc 31.2 ppm) fed ad libitum and supplemented with a ready made concentrate mixture. Animals in the first (control) group received no mineral supplement in the concentrate mixture. The second group received iodine (as KI) @ 1g/100 kg where the third group received both iodine (as KI) @ 1g/100kg and zinc (as ZnSO4) @ 10g?100 kg concentrate mixture. Results revealed that total as well as digestible intake of DM, OM, CP,EE, GE, NDF and ADF expressed as per 100 kg BW were significantly (P0.05) higher in zinc + iodine supplemented group. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE and GE did not differ significantly (P0.05) among the treatment groups. However, digestibility of NDF and ADF increased significantly (P0.05) due to zinc + iodine supplementation. The study indicated that the supplementation of zinc and iodine to normal basal ration of roughage fed to growing heifers proved beneficial in terms of higher intakes of nutrients and improved fiber digestibility.
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