TY  - BOOK
AU  - Ajith K S 
AU  - George Mathen (Guide)
TI  - Evaluation of Complete feed for Meat Production in Calves
U1  - 636.084 
PY  - 2002///
CY  - Mannuthy
PB  - Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
N2  - An experiment was carried out in three months old crossbred calves with 
an aim to utilize male and surplus female calves for meat production. Eighteen 
crossbred calves were grouped into three, considering body weight, breed, sex 
and age. Animals of group A and B received complete feed consisting of a 
concentrate mixture and grass hay, with eight (Ration A) and twelve per cent 
crude fibre (Ration B) respectively, while the animals of group C received the 
conventional control ration consisting concentrate and green grass (Ration C). 
During the experimental period of five months fortnightly body weights and 
body measurements were recorded. The body weights and body measurements 
except chest girth showed significant increase (P<O.O 1) in the animal fed 
complete rations. The average daily body weight gain (AOG) showed significant 
increase (P<O.Ol) in animals fed eight per cent crude fibre complete ration than 
those fed control ration while the cumulative feed conversion efficiency was 
significantly higher for group A (P<O.O 1) and group B (P<0.05) than that of 
group C. The average daily body weight gain obtained in the experiment were 
668.83 ± 22.37, 658.55 ± 35.41 and 497.83 ± 33.35 g/day and the cumulative 
feed conversion efficiency were 4.71 ± 0.15,5.57 ± 0.37 and 6.99 ± 0.42 for A, 
B and C groups respectively. The digestibility coefficients for dry matter and 
crude fibre were significantly higher (P<O.O 1) for animals fed control ration than 
those fed complete rations, while crude protein digestibility was lower for ration 
A (P<0.05) and ration B (P<O.O 1) than that of control. The dressing percentage 
 
obtained were 50.80 ± 0.70, 51.30 ± 1.43 and 45.17 ± 1.25 with a meat yield of 
34.60 ± 0.15, 35.30 ± 1.12 and 30.73 ± 1.24 for A, B and C groups respectively. 
The gross profit per animals for five months was calculated as Rs.1399.00, 
Rs.l550.00 and Rs.632.25 for A, Band C groups respectively. 


UR  - http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810105148
ER  -