Performance of Karan-Fries Calves as Affected by Supplementation of Rumen Protected Methionine plus Lysine and Choline

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing rumen protected methionine plus lysine (RPML) and rumen protected choline (RPC) on nutrient utilization, growth performance and haematological parameters in 18 crossbred female Karan-Fries calves (age 7.4 mo; BW 94.64±5 kg) divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each. The animals were randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups viz. T1 (control), T2 (RPML supplement) and T3 (RPC supplement). Animals were fed a basal ration consisting of wheat straw-green fodderconcentrate mixture as per requirements. The calves in group T2 were supplemented with 2 g rumen protected methionine (RPM; net 0.78 g intestinally deliverable) plus 17 g rumen protected lysine (RPL; net 3.7 g intestinally deliverable) while those in group T3 were given 27 g rumen protected choline (equivalent to 5 g choline post ruminally) per calf per day for 90 days. The digestibility of nutrients was similar in different groups except that of CP which was higher (P<0.05) in group T2. Average daily gain was 15.8 and 8.8% higher (P<0.01) in groups T2 and T3, respectively than that of group T1. Feed efficiency improved (P<0.05) by 12.5% in group T2 and 6.3% in T3 over that of T1. The levels of plasma triglycerides and very low-density lipoproteins were higher (P<0.01) in groups T2 and T3 than that in T1 whereas, blood urea nitrogen was lower (P<0.01) in groups T2 and T3 than that in group T1. The concentration of plasma non-esterified fatty acids was lower (P<0.01) in group T3 as compared to other groups. Blood total protein level was higher (P<0.01) in group T2 than group T1 and was comparable to group T3. It was concluded that fortification of ration with RPML and RPC improved growth rate, feed efficiency and blood biochemical profile in Karan-Fries calves.