Effect of Crop Residue Based Complete Feed on Growth Performance of Crossbred Calves (HF X Deoni)

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of crop residue based complete feed on growth performance and cost of feeding on crossbred (HF x Deoni) calves. Eighteen calves of six to eighteen months were selected and distributed in three groups. In control treatment (T₀), the sorghum straw and concentrate used separately, in T₁ treatment sorghum straw and concentrate used as complete feed whereas in T₃ treatment sorghum and wheat straw in equal proportion (1:1) to form complete feed. The total average body weight gain and average daily gain per animal under T₀, T₁ and T₂ treatments were 21.16 kg and 220 g, 24.8 kg and 258g and 26.66 kg and 227 g, respectively. The differences were non-significant among the treatments. The differences in body length and chest girth gain were significantly superior in T₂ treatment than T₀ and T₁. The cost of feeding per kg body weight gain under T₀, T₁ and T₂ treatments was Rs.47.78, 41.72 and 37.58, respectively. Cost per kg body weight gain of crossbred calves was lower in complete feed (T₂), indicated that feeding of sorghum and wheat straw in equal proportion by forming complete feed is economical.