Effect of dried spleen as a growth promoter in the ration of crossbred calves

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to assess the effect of dried spleen as a growth promoter m the ration of crossbred calves Twenty crossbred heifer calves of six to nine months of age were distributed randomly into four groups (group I II III and IV) as uniformly as possible with regard to age and body weight The animals m groups I II III and IV were maintained on concentrate ration A containing 20 per cent crude protein concentrate ration B containing 20 per cent crude protein and 0 1 per cent dried buffalo spleen concentrate ration C containing 15 per cent crude protein and concentrate ration D containing 15 per cent crude protein and 0 1 per cent dried buffalo spleen respectively The animals in groups I II III and IV showed average daily weight gain of 633 667 572 and 594 gramsrespectively The animals m group I and II showed higher weight gain than those m group III and IV but on statistical analysis there was no significant difference among the four groups The dried buffalo spleen biostimulator did not have any effect on change m body measurements viz height at withers body length and chest girth biostimulator treated group and control The animals in group I and II had higher digestibility coefficients for crude fibre neutral detergent fibre hemicellulose and cellulose than the animals m group III and IV The digestibility coefficient for crude protein was higher in group III and IV A critical assessment of the overall results obtained during the course of the present study indicates that addition of dried spleen biostimulator at a rate of 0 1 per cent m the ration did not have any effect on growth feed efficiency haematological value rumen fermentation and nutrient digestibility m crossbred calves with an average daily gain of 600 grams per day