Effects of feeding flaxseeds and rapeseeds on nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, feed efficiency and rumen fermentation characteristics in cross bred dairy cattle

Abstract

Effects of feeding oilseeds on nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, feed efficiency and rumen fermentation characteristics in fifteen multiparous HF × Kankrej dairy cows were studied subjected to three feeding treatments viz., control (T1): TMR without oil seeds; T2: TMR with ground flax seeds @ 4.5 % and T3: TMR with ground rapeseed @ 4.5%. The experimental TMR were offered along with 15 kg green cereal fodder as per the guidelines of ICAR (2013) standards. The results revealed the DMI, CPI and TDNI were similar and within the normal range in all the groups with non-significant differences among the groups. While DCPI was found (P