Average Daily Live Weight Gain Research Articles

Nutrient Digestibility And Growth Rate Of Bull Calves Fed Rice Straw Treated With Wood Ash Extract

An experiment was conducted for a period of 60 days with twelve bull calves with an average live weight of 77.78 ± 10.96 kg to determine the effect of treatment of rice straw with Wood Ash Extract (WAE) on feed intake, nutritive value, growth rate and economic benefits. The experimental animals were divided into three groups A, B and C having four animals in each. They were supplied randomly with three rations following randomized complete block design. All rations were made iso-nitrogenous by using urea as a source of nitrogen. Animals of group A were fed untreated rice straw, whereas, group B and C were fed urea-treated and WAE treated rice straw, respectively. The chemical analysis showed that treatment of rice straw with WAE increased ash content of straw from 13.93% to 16.45% and decreased the NDF content from 67.39% to 63.00%. The daily DM intake per 100 kg live weight of diet B was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that of diet A and C. The daily CP intake per 100 kg body weight of diet B (553.3g) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of diet A (449.5g). Similarly, the organic matter (OM) intake in bull calves fed diet B was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed diet A and C. The average daily live weight gain with diet B and C was significantly (P<0.01) higher than diet A. The animals fed diet B and C were more efficient in converting feed into live weight than animals fed diet A. Treating rice straw with wood ash extract improved the nutritive value, it significantly (P<0.01) increased the apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, ADF and NDF. It also increased the DCP, DOM, DNDF and DADF contents of rice straw compared with untreated straw. Although the total feed cost of untreated group is lower than those of WAE and urea-treated groups, the feed cost per kg live weight gain as well as the feed cost per kg meat production of WAE and urea-treated groups were significantly (P<0.01) lower than that of untreated rice straw. It may be concluded that nutrient composition and digestibility of rice straw and live weight gain of animals can be improved by treating rice straw with wood ash extract. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v38i1-2.9911 BJAS 2009; 38(1-2): 42-52

Effect Of Levels And Sources Of Protein On The Performance And Nutrient Digestibility In Black Bengal Goat

Sixteen castrated male Black Bengal goats (aged between 8 and 10 months and average live weight 9.16 kg) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design to study the effect of protein levels and sources on growth and nutrient digestibility under intensive condition for 56 days. The sources of protein were mustard oil cake (MOC) and soybean meal (SBM). Level of protein in each sources were 22 (HP-high protein) and 16 (LP-low protein) percentage. The dietary treatments were (T1) MOC-HP, (T2) MOC-LP, (T3) SBM-HP and (T4) SBM-LP. Concentrate diets as well as dal grass was fed throughout the experimental period and last week considered for digestibility trial. Average daily live weight gain of goats was 42, 41, 43, and 52 g for the diets T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The result showed no significant (P>0.05) variation between protein sources and their levels on growth performance. Intake of DM was 425, 389, 407 and 437 g/d which were 4.2, 3.8, 4.0 and 4.1 percent of their body weight for the diets T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Intake of CP was 59, 46, 56 and 50 g/d respectively. The sources of protein did not influence the intake of CP (P>0.05), but their levels had (P<0.05) effect on it. Digestibility of DM was 62, 58, 69 and 68 percent respectively. OM digestibility (g/100g) was 67, 64, 71 and 73 for the diets T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Digestibility (g/100g) of CP was 62, 60, 70 and 69 for the diets T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Thus the result showed that the digestibility of DM, CP and OM was significantly higher for SBM than MOC but their levels varied insignificantly. Therefore low protein supplementation (16%) in a concentrate mixture containing mustard oil cake and/or soybean meal could be suggested for optimizing growth performance of Black Bengal Goat under intensive management system.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v38i1-2.9912BJAS 2009; 38(1-2): 53-60

Effect of concentrate supplementation on growth and reproductive performance of rabbit under rural condition

Crossbred New Zealand White meat type 8 male and 16 female rabbits aged 3.5 to 4.5 months weighing 9.5 to 13.0 kg were used in a 128 day trial to study the effects of concentrate supplementation on growth and reproductive performance of rabbit under rural condition. Rabbits were divided according to live weight into two treatment groups, i.e. T1 (conventional diet) and T2 (conventional diet + concentrate 75 g/d per rabbit) with four replications per treatment in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). All animals had free access to locally available green grasses. Results showed that, average daily live weight gain was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in T2 (13.02 ± 0.43 g/d) than T1 (5.30 ± 0.43 g/d) group. Litter weight at birth was better (p < 0.05) in T2 (180.38 ± 16.37g) than T1 (137.19 ± 16.37g) group. Litter size at weaning differed (p < 0.05) and the mean values were 1.37 ± 0.30 for T1 and 2.37 ± 0.27 for T2 group. Kit weight at weaning was superior (p < 0.01) in T2 (408.12 ± 3.85g) than T1 (310.62  ± 3.56g) group. Kit mortality up to weaning was higher (p < 0.01) in T1 (45.0 ± 10.07 %) than T2 (26.92 ± 10.7 %) group. These results indicate that, supplementation of concentrate in addition to conventional feeding may improve growth and reproductive performance of rabbit under rural condition. Key words: Crossbred, New Zealand White rabbit, reproductive performance, growth, concentrate DOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v4i2.1296 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2006). 4 (2): 129-132

Response of Dairy Heifers to Diethylstilbestrol

The effect of feeding diethylstilbestrol (DES) on the feed consumption, growth, and reproduction of dairy heifers was studied during the period from 6 months of age to first calving. Seven of 13 Holstein heifers received, in addition to a standard grain ration, 10 mg. of DES per animal daily. Individual roughage intakes were recorded daily. During the 280-day period from 6 to 15 months of age, the DES treatment stimulated a highly significant increase in the average daily roughage dry matter consumption (0.97 lb. per heifer). The increase in average daily liveweight gain (0.09 lb. per heifer) for the DES-fed animals was not statistically significant. Consequently, there was a slight but non-significant reduction (−5.8%) in feed efficiency for the DES-fed heifers. During the period from 15 to 24 months of age, the average roughage dry matter intake of the DES-fed heifers was consistently higher; however, the average difference (1.23 lb. per heifer) was not statistically significant. The increased feed intake for the DES-fed heifers did not result in significant increases in liveweight gains either before or after conception. Average body measurements at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months indicated that DES had no significant effect on skeletal growth. The DES treatment did produce a highly significant increase in mammary gland length during the period from 6 to 12 months of age. However, there was no significant difference in subsequent milk production. Average ages at first estrus, average length of the estrous cycles, and breeding efficiency during the first service period did not differ significantly. No differences in the structure or function of the reproductive organs due to DES treatment were detected. However, the average birth weight for the calves of the DES-fed heifers was significantly lower (13.1 lb.) than the average birth weight for the control calves. Reproductive performance following first calving did not suggest any significant physiological differences due to the withdrawal of the DES treatment.