Feeding Rations Containing Road Side Grass, Maize Silage or Water Hyacinth in Bull Calves

The experiment was conducted for a period of 90 days with 9 local growing male calves of 18-24 months of age and average live weight 68 kg to determine the effect of feeding complete ration with road side grass, maize (Zea mays) silage and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) on growth, digestibility of different nutrients, total digestible nutrients and feed efficiency. The animals were randomly divided into three groups, having three bull calves in each. The calves of group A were fed 40% rice straw, 60% road side grass and concentrate mixture. The calves of group B were fed 40% rice straw, 60% maize silage and concentrate mixture and the calves of group C were fed 40% rice straw, 60% water hyacinth and concentrate mixture. The concentrate mixture contained 27% wheat bran, 40% rice polish, 55 fish meal, 2% bone meal and 1% common salt. The concentrate mixture was provided in quantities to satisfy 1/3rd of DM requirement. The animals of maize silage group B showed best P<0.01) performance in weight gain (0.152 kg/d) followed by C (0.115 kg/d) and A (0.107 kg/d). Dry matter intake per day in group A, B and C were 2.31, 2.42 and 2.29 kg respectively. The amount of feed required per kg body weight gain (P<0.01) were lower in maize silage group B (16.61) followed by C (19.92) and A (21.74). A higher trend of digestibility of nutrients were observed in maize silage feeding group (B). So, the maize silage in combination with straw and concentrate mixture can be fed to growing animals for better performances. Fresh water hyacinth leaves can also be allowed to calves in combination with straw and concentrate, without any adverse effect on growth of animals.