RESPONSE OF ALKALI TREATED RICE HUSK IN BUFFALO CALVES ON GROWTH, DRY MATTER INTAKE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY and BLOOD METABOLITES.

Abstract

A feeding plan was undertaken in Nili-Ravi growing male buffalo calves having age of 6-8 months and 100-120 Kg live body weight to observe the effect of 2% alkali treated rice husk contained in the diet on feed and growth performance. Rice husk was treated with 2% NaOH solution (50 % water to substrate; weight/volume). Four different types of TMRs (1.2.3.4) were formulated and TMR-1 served as control ration containing untreated 30% rice husk and TMRs-2,3,4 were test rations and contained 10%,20%,and 30% alkali treated rice husk. Calves were divided into four groups (n=5) and were allotted the diet randomly and stall feeding was practiced. Weighed quantity of each TMR was offered daily and refusal was recorded after twenty four hours to calculate the actual quantity of feed intake by the animals daily. In addition, 2 Kg of green fodder was also provided. The trial lasted for 90 days along with 10 days as feed adjustment period. At end, a digestibility trial was conducted on three animals of each group for three days. Blood samples were taken for BUN and blood glucose post feeding two times during the trial. Statistically there was non-significant difference on growth performance and feed efficiency in the animals of all groups. Digestibility of Dry Matter, CP, EE, Ash and OM also revealed non-significant difference. Mean values of blood metabolites were apparently higher in control group but statistically difference was non-significant. Results revealed some improvement on growth, FCR, Nutrient Digestibility in animals fed on treated rice husk based diet. Economically rice husk can be used in the formulation of diet for finishing the animals up to 30% safely and without any hazard