Economics of calf starter feeding on the growth performance of Gir crossbred calves

Abstract

A total selected 20 Gir crossbreed calves (Age ranging from 15 to 20 day) were allotted into different treatments. Milk were offered at the rate of 1/10th of body weight for 1-6 weeks, 1/15th of body weight for 7-8 weeks and 1/20th of body weight for 9-12 weeks of age. Group T0 calves were provided only milk from the cows and T1, T2 and T3 were provided milk up to 8th, 6th and 4th weeks and thereafter calf starter for the remaining experimental period upto 12th week. The treatments consisted of: T0 (fed milk upto 12 weeks + green fodder), T1 (fed milk up to 8 weeks and calf starter from 9-12 weeks + green fodder), T2 (fed milk up to 6 weeks and calf starter from 7-12 weeks + green fodder) and T3 (fed milk up to 4 weeks and calf starter from 5-12 weeks + green fodder. Each group's daily feed consumption were recorded from mik, calf starter and green fodder. The calf starter and green fodder were analyzed for their proximate principles (AOAC 1995). Each calf receiving treatment weighted for its body weight weekly and an average daily growth rate was determined. The results showed significant improvements in dry matter intake (DMI) in T2 and T3, with T3 having the highest DMI. Body weight gain was significantly higher in T3 (32.70 kg) compared to other treatments. The results showed significant improvements in growth performance, with average daily gains of 0.364 kg/day and total body weight gain of 32.70 kg in calves fed calf starter from 5 weeks onwards (T3). Weekly body weight gain was 2.726 kg/week for T3, surpassing other treatments. Economic analysis revealed that T3 had the lowest feeding cost per day (Rs. 70.17) and per kg body weight gain (Rs. 193.14), indicating that feeding calf starter as a replacement to milk from 5th weeks onward is economically beneficial.