The Physiological Response and Health Attributes of Crossbred Calves Fed Conventional Feeding System and Total Mixed Ration with different Levels of Concentrate and Roughage

Author: Poojan H. Pandya, Jigar H. Patel, Pravin M. Lunagariya, Palak P. Vaidh, N. Sharma, Mahesh M. Chaudhary and Dilip C. Patel

Download PDF

Abstract

The feeding of dairy calves for higher growth with the economy is challenging for the dairy farmer. Two feeding systems-conventional and total mixed ration (TMR) available, for improving growth and in the TMR system again level of concentrate and roughage needs optimization. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of concentrate and roughage in a total mixed ration on physiological response and health attributes in crossbred calves. Twenty-four crossbred calves with identical body weights were randomly divided into four treatment groups, each with six animals from the 8thto 91st days of age. Traditionally, the T1 group received concentrate and roughage separately, whereas the T2, T3, and T4 groups received concentrate and roughage in the following proportions of 85:15, 75:25, and 65:35, respectively. The physiological responses viz., rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and pulse rate were assessed at 7:30 am at weekly intervals. The blood was collected from the calves at the beginning, middle, and end of the experiment for the haematology (WBCs, RBCs, haemoglobin, and packed cell volume) and blood biochemical parameters (glucose, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, globulin, SGOT, SGPT). The faecal consistency of all the calves was observed daily and a score was given. The rectal temperature was significantly higher (P < 0.05) under the T1group as compared to other groups, but was within the normal range. The respiratory rate and pulse rate did not differ significantly among the treatments. The various haematological parameters like WBCs, RBCs, Hb, and PCV were not influenced significantly. The protein and energy nutrition were optimum indicated by levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, and albumin to globulin ratio and were not influenced by different concentrate to roughage ratios. The glucose level was linearly increased with an increased concentrate to roughage ratio. The SGOT and SGPT did not differ with various concentrate to roughage ratios but were found lowest in the conventional feeding system. The calcium and phosphorous did not differ between different treatments. It can be concluded from the finding that feeding of TMR with 85:15, 75:25 and 65:35 concentrate to roughage ratio was found safe for crossbred calves.

Keywords

Crossbred calves, total mixed ration, concentrate: roughage ratio, physiological responses, haematology, serum biochemistry, faecal consistency

Conclusion

The feeding conventionally and TMR with different concentrate to roughage ratio did not have any adverse effect on physiological responses (rectal temperature, pulse rate, and respiratory rate), haemotological parameters (WBCs, RBCs, Hb, and PCV), protein and energy nutrition (serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose), liver function (SGOP, SGPT) and major minerals (serum calcium, phosphorus). It can be concluded that feeding of TMR with 85:15, 75:25 and 65:35 concentrate to roughage ratio found safe to crossbred calves.

References

-

How to cite this article

Poojan H. Pandya, Jigar H. Patel, Pravin M. Lunagariya, Palak P. Vaidh, N. Sharma, Mahesh M. Chaudhary and Dilip C. Patel (2022). The Physiological Response and Health Attributes of Crossbred Calves Fed Conventional Feeding System and Total Mixed Ration with different Levels of Concentrate and Roughage. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 670-674.