Growth Studies on Tharparkar-Jersey-Holstein (Triple-Cross) Female Calves at Different Levels of Protein Intake
C. Jagannadham
Department of Animal Nutrition, Management and Products Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
Corresponding author
S. R. Sampath
Department of Animal Nutrition, Management and Products Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
S. V. S. Setty
Department of Animal Nutrition, Management and Products Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
Abstract
An investigation was conducted to study the effect of different levels of digestible crude protein (DCP) on the growth performance of Tharparkar-Jersey-Holstein (triple-cross) female calves from 4 to 24 weeks of age. Eight female calves were randomly distributed into two groups, out of which one group received the Morrison's standard of DCP and TDN while the other group was fed with 10 per cent core DCP while TDN was maintained at Morrison's standard. Calf starters containing 13 per cent and 14-8 per cent DCP with 71 per cent TDN were fed to calves of groups I and II, respectively. Heart-rth and body length measurements did not show any significant difference between groups, but there as significant difference in height-at-withers. Growth rates (gain in body weight) of the calves in the two groups were not significantly different. The average gain in body weight of calves at 0-418 g/day and 0-430 kg/day for the control and experimental groups, respectively.