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Effect of feeding water-soaked and dry wheat straw on feed intake, digestibility of nutrients and VFA production in growing zebu and buffalo calves*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

M. L. Chaturvedi ,
U. B. Singh  and
S. K. Ranjhan
M. L. Chaturvedi
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (U.P.)India
U. B. Singh
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (U.P.)India
S. K. Ranjhan
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (U.P.)India
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Summary

Experiments were conducted on 12 male growing calves of zebu cattle (Bos indicus) and buffalo (Bos bubalis) to study the effect of feeding wheat straw presoaked with water on the voluntary feed intake, digestibility coefficients of nutrients and volatile fatty acid concentration and production. The feed intake was improved significantly (P < 0·05) in both the species as a result of soaking. The digestibility of crude protein and crude fibre was depressed (P < 0·05), whereas the nitrogen-free extract utilization increased significantly (P < 0·01) on soaking of straw. The availability of digestible energy and metabolizable energy was also more as a result of water treatment of wheat straw. The production rates of total volatile fatty acids and acetic acid were higher in both the species fed on water-soaked wheat straw. It is concluded that pre-soaking of wheat straw for 1–2 h with ordinary tap water may give an overall beneficial effect in both zebu and buffalo calves.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 80 , Issue 3 , June 1973 , pp. 393 - 397
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

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