Growth and Nutrient Utilization in Cross-Bred Calves Fed Urea Treated Paddy Straw With Low Level of Concentrate Mixture

In a 400 d feeding experiment 9 cross bred calves divided into 2 groups, were fed either urea treated (A) or untreated paddy straw (B). However, they were all fed 870 g concentrate mixture and 3 kg para grass/h/d. Daily body weight gain in group A (308 g) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that in group B (240 g). DM intake of paddy straw/d and/100 kg body wt. were 2.05 and 1.40 kg in group A and 1.56 and 1.20 kg in group B. The differences between the two groups were significant (P<0.05). Digestibility coefficients of nutrient in group A were significantly higher than in group ft except for CP and NFE. Balances of N, Ca and P (g/d) were 4.48, 3.40 and 3.67 in group A and 3.34, 2.41 and 5.40 in group B, respectively. DMI required per kg live weight gain was 11.02 and 12.09 kg in group A and group ft. respectively. Daily feed cost per calf was significantly (P<.01) higher in group A by 90 paisa but feed cost per kg gain was non-significantly lower Irs group A than in group B.