Effect of Feeding Hydroponics Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Fodder on Nutrient Utilization, Growth, Blood Metabolites and Cost Effectiveness in Hariana Male Calves

Twelve Hariana male calves of similar age (6–8 months of age) and body weight (99.5 kg) were distributed in three groups of 4 animals each in order to study the effect of feeding of hydroponics barley fodder on intake, digestibility of nutrients and growth in calves. The study was conducted at Ayurvet Research Foundation, Chidana, Sonepat, Haryana for 90 days. The animals in group T1 (control) were fed 1.4 kg concentrate mixture containing 21% CP and 70% TDN, 2 kg conventional green fodder and wheat straw ad lib. In group T2, 50% of CP and energy requirements were met through concentrate mixture (0.55 kg) and rest through hydroponics barley fodder (2.5 kg) and wheat straw was provided ad lib. while in group T3, 5.0 kg hydroponics barley fodder was given alongwith ad lib supply of wheat straw. Dry matter intake (% of BW) was higher in groups T2 and T3 (3.38 and 3.35, respectively) in comparison to control (2.93). Digestibility of OM (64.23 and 62.33 vs. 55.14%) and CP (79.57 and 77.46 vs. 72.76%) were significantly higher (P<0.05 and P<0.01) for calves fed hydroponic fodder based TMR in groups T3 and T2 compared to group T1. The average daily gain was also higher in groups T2 (501.67 g) and T3 (490.33 g) compared to group T1 (375.00 g). There was a reduction of 33% in feeding cost per kg weight gain/calf/day in group T2 in comparison to T1. Therefore, feeding of hydroponics barley fodder increased DM intake, digestibility of nutrients and growth rate in calves while increasing the profit.