Effect of High Dietary Level of Limestone Powder on Nutrient Utilization and Growth in Crossbred Calves
2012
Amrutkar, S.A. | Chopra, R.C. | Shelke, S.K.
The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of high dietary supplementation of limestone powder (LSP) on nutrient utilization and growth in crossbred calves. Twelve growing male crossbred calves (12–16 months of age) were divided into three groups (4 each) on the basis of their body weights. Group I (control group I; BW 230.3 kg) were fed oat fodder, wheat straw and concentrate mixture (without LSP) as per requirements. Calves in group II (BW 227.0 kg) and group III (BW 228.52 kg) calves were fed additional 5 and 10% LSP through concentrate mixture, respectively. All the groups were fed ration containing 40% concentrate mixture and 60% roughage for a period of 98 days. Varying levels of dietary LSP showed similar DM intake in calves. Total body weight gain was 55.9, 53.5 and 49.8 kg in group I, II and III respectively, showing decreased average daily gain by 4.25 and 10.92% on feeding 5 and 10% LSP in the concentrate mixture of group II and III, respectively. Feed efficiency was decreased by 1.13 and 1.51% in group II and III, respectively as compared to control group. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, CF and NFE was adversely affected (P<0.05) by addition of LSP in diet. Nitrogen balance was decreased by 4.81 and 12.29% following addition of 5 and 10% level of LSP in concentrate mixture of group II and III, respectively as compared to control group calves. The results of present study suggests that supplementation of 5 and 10% level of LSP in concentrate mixture showed adverse effect on growth performance and nutrient utilization of male crossbred calves.
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