Exploring feeding value of oak (Quercus incana) leaves: Nutrient intake and utilization in calves
2008
Sharma, R.K. | Singh, B. | Sahoo, A.
For evaluating the feeding value of oak leaves as a supplement to wheat straw an in vivo study was conducted involving fifteen male calves (aged 6-9 months, average body weight 84 kg,) distributed randomly into three equal groups. The calves in group 1 (G1) received a maintenance diet of concentrate (C) and wheat straw (WS) as the sole roughage; in group 2 (G2), C, WS and oak leaves (OL) at a ratio of 31:39:30 on dry matter (DM) basis and in group 3 (G3), C, WS and OL at a ratio of 33:45:22. The feeding lasted for 4 weeks and included a metabolism trial of 6 days duration. The DMI (kg/day) increased (41 and 38% in G2 and G3, respectively) with supplementation of oak leaves, being higher in G2 (2.90) followed by G3 (2.82) and G1 (2.05). Digestibility (%) of DM, organic matter and neutral detergent fiber was higher in G2 (51.5, 55.8, 49.0) compared to G1 (43.9, 49.3, 43.7) and G3 (45.4, 50.1, 44.0) contributing to higher ME intake (17%). Increased N utilization efficiency (20.6, 67.7 and 55.1% in G1, G2 and G3, respectively) and microbial protein production (180, 209, 194 g/day) coupled with a decrease in plasma urea level (about 25%) was observed in oak leaf supplemented groups. Supplementation of WS/OL ratio of 44:56 enhanced DMI, digestibility, efficiency of N utilization and body weight gain compared with a WS/OL ratio of 100/0.
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