title: Growth performance and nutrient utilization in male and female Mithun calves on green forage-based diet.
abstract: A comparative study of growth rate and feed intake and its utilization in male and female Mithun calves was carried out in hilly tracts of Nagaland. The animals of both sexes were fed fresh jungle grasses ad libitum and 2.0 kg of rice bran fortified with 1% mineral mixture and 1% salt daily. Growth rates of 369.50 and 305.67 g/day were observed in male and female calves, respectively. Sex-related differences in feed and nutrient intakes were statistically significant, whereas no significant difference was found in digestibility coefficients of nutrients between the groups as well as among the animals. Dry matter, digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient intakes were recorded to be 107.81, 8.08 and 74.73 g/kgW0.75 per day, respectively, irrespective of sex. Feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and nutritive value of the ration were similar in both male and female calves. Results obtained from the study indicate that the growth rate and nutrient intakes were higher in male than female calves but the sex of the animal did not have any significant effect on nutrient utilization.
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre on Mithun, ICAR Complex, Jharnapani, Medziphema, Nagaland-797106, India. dtpal@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Kezhavituo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vupru
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bujarbaruah
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D004063:Digestion; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D009753:Nutritive Value; D006109:Poaceae; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins