Effect of Feeding Leucaena Leucocephala in Combination with Hybrid Napier on Growth and Nutrient Utilisation in Crossbred Calves

A growth experiment for 100 d was conducted on 12 Hariana x Holstein calves (88 kg) randomly divided into 2 equal groups and fed on dry grass + 1 kg concentrate mixture (group 1) and a 1 :1 mixture of green NB21 and Leucaena forage (group 2). The average body weight gains were higher (430 g/d) in group 1 than in group 2 (260 g/d). However, the results of metabolism trial conducted at the end of 1 month feeding indicated that the digestibilities of DM, OM, NFE, ADF and cell contents were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. Both, DCP and TDN were higher in group 2 (7.31%, 57.07%) than in group 1 (6.30%, 50.77%). It was also observed that after 2 months of feeding, all the calves in Leucaena fed group exhibited ulcers in the tongue and buccal cavity with blood oozing out. The results thus indicated that the proportion of hybrid Napier used in the mixed fodder could not ameliorate the ill effects of Leucaena fodder in growing calves.