Growth Response and Feed Cost Efficiency of Early-Weaned Crossbred (HF × K) Calves under Different Milk Feeding Regimens
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.3.27Keywords:
Body weight gain, Crossbred calves, Feed cost, High milk feeding, Water intake.Abstract
This study evaluated the impact of high milk feeding on the recurring cost of 25 early-weaned crossbred (HF×K) calves for 182 days. Newborn calves (average birth weight 30.71 kg) were randomly divided into five treatment groups with two males and three females in each. The birth weight of calves under different treatment groups was statistically nonsignificant. All calves received colostrum for the first 3 days, followed by 4 litters of fresh milk daily for the next two weeks. Thereafter, milk quantities varied among treatment groups, totalling 252, 329, 353.5, 378, and 420.5 litters in T1, T2, T3, T4 & T5 groups, respectively, over first 63 days of life. The milk feeding was in step up from 15 days @ 0.5 lit /week till 49th day and then step-down manner till 63rd day in T2 to T5 groups. Total Mixed Ration (TMR) was offered ad libitum to all calves during 15-90 (C:R; 75:25) and 91-182 (65:35) days of age, respectively. The calves were weighed weekly using an electronic weighing balance prior to milk feeding. Feeding cost under different treatments was estimated based on daily feed intake multiplied by the unit cost of the TMR. Feed cost per kg body weight gain and feed cost per day were calculated from the total feed expenditure incurred. The average feed cost per kg gain was ₹ 466.20 and ₹ 164.98 during pre-weaning and post-weaning, respectively, and ₹ 239.65 for overall period. The lowest overall feed cost per kg gain was recorded in T1, followed by T3, T2, T4, and T5, but statistically it was at par, though the average daily feed cost was significantly (p<0.01) lower (₹ 167.19) with T1 than other treatments. Thus, the pre-weaned crossbred calves can be reared on either T3 or T4 milk feeding protocol to maximize their growth rate.
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