Study of the calf starter with locally available feed ingredients

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to compare the physiological status and performance of the calves fed two different kinds of calf starters. The calves fed with whole milk and concentrates were used as the control. A total of 18 crossbred calves of the University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy, immediately after birth were assigned at random to one of the following three groups. Group I (control), group II (fed with calf starter I) and group III (fed with calf starter II). There were one male and five female calves in each group.

The two calf starters used for the experiment contained 24 per cent protein and 68 per cent TDN. The calves on the experimental group started getting calf starter on the eighth day onwards and the milk was completely withdrawn at the beginning of the fifth week of age. The calves of the control group were fed with concentrates at the beginning of the fifth week when the quantity of the milk was reduced. At 12 weeks of age milk was completely withdrawn. The feeding trial was a period of 24 weeks from the birth of the calves.

The statistical analyses of the data collected revealed that the growth rate of calves fed calf starter I was significantly higher as compared to the calves fed calf starter II. But the growth rate of calves in Groups I and II was almost the same. The total gain in body weight was 44.17 kg in a period of 24 weeks for the calves getting calf starter I as compared to the value of 43.08 and 30.91 for groups I and III respectively.

Eventhough there was no significant difference with regard to other body measurements in the three groups, the calves that received calf starter I had a higher paunch girth in comparison to the calves on calf starter II.

The physiological status of the calves in all the groups as revealed by the study of the blood value was normal and satisfactory.

Eventhough all the calves showed a positive nitrogen balance at the termination of the experiment the valves fed calf starter I had a greater nitrogen balance.

Calf starter I was found to be beneficial in terms of general condition, physiological status and weight gain of the calves. By incorporating calf starter I in the feeding schedule of calves, a quantity of 141.4 kg whole milk could be made available for human consumption in addition to a saving of Rs. 186.83 in the cost of feeding a calf during the first 24 weeks of age.