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Study on the feeding regimes and growth pattern of pre-ruminant Pabna zebu calves |
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M. M. Rahman, M. R. Islam, M. S. Zaman |
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| Abstract |
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Twelve day old Pabna zebu calves of similar weights were assigned at random to 3 different calf starter-rations namely T0, T1 and T2 to determine the effect of feeding regimes and growth pattern of calves upto 3 months of age. Calves allowed to intake starter 0.5 percent of body weight from 2nd week on to 7th weeks of age, while starter at 1 percent of body weight was allowed later on upto 13th weeks of age. Calves started to intake green grass after 2nd to 3rd weeks and average intake per day was limited to 1 kg upto the end of experiment, while calves started to take rice straw ad libitum after 6th weeks of age. Colostrum feeding was offered ad libitum and in addition calves seckled their dam`s milk shortly before and after milking usually in the morning and evening. Growth of calves in different treatment groups was found statistically insignificant. The mean growth rate per head per day ranged from 196.43-375.0 g for T0 group, 185.72-360.72 g for T1 group and 180.1-385.72 g for T2 group respectively between 1st to 7th weeks of age while the growth rate ranged from 309.53-328.57 g for T0, 304.29-342.86 g for T1 and 304.77-333.30 g for T2 groups respectively from 9th weeks on to the end of the experiment. |
| Keywords:
Pre-Ruminant; Suckling; Zebu Calves; Leucaena Leaf Meal; Growth Pattern |
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