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Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Hisar
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ThesisItem Open Access Effect of pellet diets with or without phytogenic feed additives on performance of broilers(LUVAS Hisar, 2023-04) Devika; Sihag,Zile SinghA trial of 42 days was carried out to study the effect of pellet diets with or without phytogenic feed additives on performance of broilers. A total of 240, day-old commercial broiler chicks were randomly distributed into eight dietary treatments with three replicates per treatment and each replicate had ten birds. Ashwagandha and shatavari were used as herbal feed additives. The basal diet was formulated as per BIS (2007) specifications. The treatments included T1: Basal diet + antibiotics (mash form), T2: Basal diet + antibiotics (pellet form), T3: Basal diet + 1% Ashwagandha powder (mash form), T4: Basal diet + 0.5% Ashwagandha powder (pellet form), T5: Basal diet + 1% Ashwagandha powder (pellet form), T6: Basal diet + 1% Shatavari powder (mash form), T7: Basal diet + 0.5% Shatavari powder (pellet form) and T8: Basal diet + 1% Shatavari powder (pellet form). Body weight (g/bird), Feed intake (g/bird) and FCR improved significantly (P<0.05) after supplementing the diet with phytogenic feed additives and the best results were observed in 1% Ashwagandha supplemented group in pellet form. In between the control groups, the pelleted diet fed group had better growth performance than mash diet fed group. Dietary supplementation of 1% Ashwagandha in pellet form resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher DM metabolizability and gross energy metabolizability as compared to control. Nitrogen retention was found significantly (P<0.05) higher in groups T3, T5, T6 and T8. The carcass traits were found to be significantly (P<0.05) better in 1% Ashwagandha supplemented group in pellet form. The Hb levels and TLC count were found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher in all Shatavari supplemented groups while decreased % of heterophils and increased % of lymphocytes thereby, reducing heterophil: lymphocyte ratio in T6, T7 and T8 groups compared to control. No significant effect of pelleting was observed on haematological parameters. Significant reduction in serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels was observed in 1% Ashwagandha and 1% Shatavari supplemented groups. Inclusion of 0.5% and 1% Ashwagandha and Shatavari powder resulted in significant improvement in HDL and reduction in LDL as compared with control. But no effect of pelleting was observed on serum parameters. A significant reduction in E.colicount was recorded in the T3 and T5 groups compared to control. Higher values of Lactobacilli were observed in all herbal additives supplemented groups. Highest villi height andVillus height: Villi depth of intestinal crypts was recorded in 1% Ashwagandha supplemented group in pellet form. The activity of antioxidant enzymes; SOD and Catalase was observed in groups T3, T5, T6 and T8. Thus, the dietary supplementation of Ashwagandha root powder and Shatavari root powder leads to significant improvement in the growth performance, nutrient metabolizability and hematological indices; possess potent hypocholestrolemic, and gut microbiota stabilizing effects, thus help in achieving a profitable and feasible poultry production. The feeding of pelleted ration also improved the growth performance of birds and this will help in establishing profitable poultry farming.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of inclusion of Moringa leaf meal and pelleting of the ration on the performance of broilers(LUVAS Hisar, 2023-04-10) Shabnam; Tewatia,B.S.An experiment was conducted to study the effects of pelleting and Moringa oleifera leaf meal supplementation on the performance of broiler chicken. One hundred sixty, one day old chicks, were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups having 4 replicates each, and each replicate had 10 birds. The control group (T1) was offered basal diet with antibiotics in mash form; T2 group was fed basal diet with antibiotics in pellet form; while birds in T3 group were offered ration having 5% Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) without antibiotics in mash form and T4 group ration had 5% Moringa oleifera leaf meal without antibiotics in pellet form. During the feeding trial of 42 days, feed intake and body weight changes were recorded. At the end of feeding trial, a metabolism trial of five days duration was conducted during which samples of feed offered, residue left and faeces voided were collected. For carcass evaluations, one bird from each dietary treatment was sacrificed. The average feed intake (g/bird) during overall period (0 to 42 day) did not differ significantly among groups. Average body weight gain (g/bird) in all the three growth phases differed significantly (P<0.05) and maximum body weight gain (2281.32) was recorded in group (T4) supplemented with 5% Moringa oleifera leaf meal in pellet form. Similar trend was observed in respect of feed conversion ratio, carcass traits, DM metabolizability, nitrogen metabolizability and gross energy metabolizability. Quality of the breast and thigh muscles in terms of crude protein (21.97, 17.11) and ether extract (5.52, 6.76) also improved significantly (P<0.05) in T4 group. Hematological parameters (Hb, TEC and lymphocyte) increased significantly (P<0.05), while TLC and heterophils decreased (P<0.05) in T4, T3 and T2 as compared to the control group. A significant (P<0.05) reduction in serum total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides levels and increase in HDL was also observed in Moringa supplemented groups (T4 and T3) as compared to the antibiotic supplemented groups (T1 and T2). MOLM supplemented groups (T4 and T3) resulted in significant (P<0.05) decrease in E.coli count and increase in Lactobacilli count as compared to T1 and T2 groups. Antioxidant enzymes (SOD and Catalase) activity was also significantly higher (P<0.05) in MOLM supplemented group in pelleted form (T4) followed by T3, T2 and T1 group. Villus height: intestinal crypts depth of the experimental birds ranged from 4.47µm (T1) to 6.30 µm (T4) and significantly (P<0.05) higher effect was observes in the groups supplemented with MOLM. Thus, it can be inferred from the results of this study that inclusion of 5% MOLM in pellet form had better effect on body weight gain, FCR, carcass traits and antioxidant enzyme activity besides being better in terms of feeding cost per kg gain in broilers.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of feeding pelleted ration with or without herbal feed additives on the performance of broiler chickens(LUVAS Hisar, 2023-04) Radha Bai; R.S. BerwalThis research was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding pelleted ration with or without herbal feed additives on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, carcass traits, hematological, serological parameters and to economise the feeding of broiler chickens. Study was conducted on two hundred and forty, day-old broiler chicks which were randomly divided into eight dietary treatment groups with three replicates of each treatment. Each treatment had different feeding regimen: T1 received a basal diet with antibiotics in mash form; T2: basal diet with antibiotics in pellet form; T3: basal diet with 1% aloe vera in mash, T4: basal diet with 0.5% aloe vera in pellet form, T5: basal diet with 1% aloe vera in pellet form, T6: basal diet with 1% amla in mash form, T7: basal diet with 0.5% amla in pellet form and T8: basal diet with 1% amla in pellet form. In the 42-day feeding trial, Feed intake and body weight were recorded at every week and residual feed and faecal samples were collected and analyzed during a five-day metabolic trial during the end of growth trial. The results showed that the average overall body weight differ significantly (p<0.05) in amla and aloe vera supplemented groups in comparison to control groups (T1 and T2 ), with the highest average body weight was recorded in the group supplemented with 1% amla in pellet form, followed by 1% amla in mash form. Better feed conversion ratio was observed in 1% aloe- vera supplemented group in pellet form (T5 ) followed by T8 , T4 , and T3 . Significantly (p<0.05) higher nutrient metabolizability was observed in 1% aloe vera supplemented group followed by 1% amla supplemented groups. Significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage of carcass traits were observed in 1% amla supplemented groups in pellet and mash form as compared to the control groups. Hematological parameters (Hb, TEC, TLC and lymphocyte) were significantly (p<0.05) improved, while heterophils were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the 1% amla supplemented groups compared to the control group. The herbal feed supplemented groups also showed a significant reduction in serum cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels, as well as an increase in HDL levels, compared to the antibiotic-added groups. But better results were obtained in 1% aloe vera supplemented groups. The groups supplemented with 1% aloe vera in pellet and mash form had a significant decrease in E. coli count and an increase in Lactobacilli count compared to the T1 and T2 groups. The antioxidant activity of SOD and catalase enzyme were significantly (p<0.05) increased in all herbal feed supplemented groups with the highest improvement observed in T8 followed by T6 , T5 , and T3 . The villus height and intestinal crypts depth of the experimental birds ranged from 898.41µm (T1 ) to 1035.40 µm (T5 ) and 3.15 µm (T1 ) to 4.24 µm (T5 ) under different dietary treatments, and herbal feed supplemented group had significantly better effect on gut morphometry higher villus height was observed in the groups with inclusion of 1% aloe-vera in pellet as well in mash form. Better economics was found in 1% amla supplemented group in pellet form as compared to that of other herbal feed supplemented and control groups. In conclusion, the study suggested that inclusion of amla and aloe-vera supplementation at 1% level improved the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, hematological and serological parameters of broiler chickens.ThesisItem Open Access To assess the comparative feeding practices and minerals status of lactating cattle and buffaloes in Cotton-Wheat growing zone of Haryana(LUVAS Hisar, 2023-04) Sunil Dev Singh; V. S. PanwarIn the Cotton-Wheat growing region of Haryana, a thorough survey was conducted to evaluate feeding practices, status of macro and microminerals in feed, fodder, blood, milk, and hair as well as to determine the correlation between intake of minerals and their status in blood, milk and hair of cattle and buffalo. Total 504 dairy farmers were selected for conducting survey and collection of samples, which was performed from June to November 2021 (Kharif season). Sorghum was the most preferred green fodder used by 76.58% of farmers followed by bajra 23.41% and grasses 19%, Wheat straw was the preferred dry roughage used by 90 % of the farmers followed by paddy straw 11.9%. Wheat grain (Dalia) was the common energy source fed by the farmers 48.41% followed by multi grains 19.24%. Pelleted concentrate feed was used by 15.07% farmers. Cotton seed cake, Gram churi and mustard cake were the main source of dietary protein used by 64.28%, 28.17% and 23.81% farmers, respectively. Mineral mixture was supplemented by 23.61% of the farmers; whereas 81.15% farmers included common salt in the ration of their animals. Among dry roughage, maximum CP % was recorded in bajra kadbi (4.18), whereas least CP was recorded in wheat straw (3.12). Among green fodders, the highest CP was recorded in grasses followed by maize, sorghum and bajra fodder. Wheat grain and multi grain daliya contained 11.31 and 14.11% crude protein, respectively. The highest CP was recorded in mustard cake followed by cotton seed cake and cotton seed and the values were 35.1, 23.65 and 20.12%, respectively. Green fodders contained appreciable quantities of Ca but deficient in Zn. All dry roughages were deficient in all minerals except Fe. In cereals, multi grain feed was a richer source of Ca as well as P than wheat. Wheat and multigrain feed had sufficient amount of Cu but deficient in Mn. Protein sources, mustard cake, cotton seed and cotton seed cake were fairly rich in Ca, P, Zn, Cu and Fe but Mn content was just below or near to optimum level. Gram churi was rich in all minerals. All these feedstuffs were rich in Fe. Dietary intake of Zn was inadequate in both cattle (82%) and buffaloes (87%). Manganese intake was also deficient in both cattle (68%) and buffaloes (74%) while intake of Fe was more than the requirement. Only 34% and 24% of the animals were receiving less Ca and P, respectively, than the requirement. Serum was optimum in Ca and P. Serum Zn was within normal range (0.8 - 2 ppm) while serum Cu was below critical level in cattle in about half of the zone, similar trends for serum Cu were seen in buffaloes. Fe intake was high due to its high level in feeds; however, its level in serum was within the normal range. Serum Mn was above critical value (0.20 ppm). Milk samples were deficient in Zn and Cu. Hair samples were deficient in Zn and Cu which is indicative of their general deficiency in animal feeds. Correlation between intake of minerals and their level in biological samples indicated that hair could be considered as best indicator of dietary intake of Zn and Cu. The study indicated deficiency in feeds and biological samples in cattle & buffaloes of the zone & invite corrective measured by strategic feeding of mineral mixture.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of cinnamon powder supplementation on growth performance and antioxidant enzyme activities in broiler chicken(LUVAS Hisar, 2023-05) Ramkrishna; Maan, Narender singhThe research was conducted to study the effect of cinnamon powder supplementation on growth performance and antioxidant enzyme activities in broiler chicken. A total number of one hundred and sixty, day old broiler chickens were randomly divided into four treatment groups. Each treatment was further subdivided into four replicates with ten birds in each replicate. Treatments included T1: basal diet without antibiotic, T2: basal diet with antibiotic, T3: basal diet with 0.5% cinnamon powder and T4: basal diet with 1% cinnamon powder. The experimental diets were fed for 6 weeks of duration and feed intake, body weight was recorded phase-wise. At the end of experiment, a five days duration metabolic trial was conducted to determine the nutrient metabolizability and one bird from each replicate was slaughtered, dressed and then used for carcass parameters, microbial count and gut morphometry birds. The results showed that average feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T4 (group supplemented with 1% cinnamon powder) followed by T3 (group supplemented with 0.5% cinnamon), T2 (group having basal diet with antibiotic) and lowest in T1 group. Similar trend was observed in average body weight, average body weight gain, dry matter metabolizability, nitrogen retention and gross energy metabolizability. Significantly (p<0.05) better FCR was observed in cinnamon powder supplemented groups in comparison to un-supplemented groups. Marked increased in carcass traits were observed in case of cinnamon inclusion in diet at 1% level. Blood parameters (Hb and TEC ) were significantly improved while heterophils were significantly decreased in 1% cinnamon supplemented groups in comparison to T1 group whereas no difference were observed in TLC count. Significant (p<0.05) reduction in triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL were observed in groups supplemented with cinnamon powder in comparison to control group. Significantly (p<0.05) higher lactobacilli count and lower E.coli count were noticed at 1% cinnamon inclusion in the diet. In gut morphometry, significantly (p<0.05) higher villi height was found in cinnamon supplemented group at 1% level. Activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and catalase) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in treatment group supplemented with 1% cinnamon powder. Highest profit (Rs. 59.33) was observed group supplemented with 0.5% cinnamon powder (T3) and lowest (Rs. 55.24) was in group fed basal diet without antibiotic (T1). Thus, it was concluded that addition of cinnamon powder at 1% level in the diet of broilers had significant effect on growth performance, nutrient utilization, carcass traits, blood parameters, serum parameters, gut morphology and antioxidant enzymes activity of birds.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of prebiotic and probiotic supplementation on performance of rabbits(LUVAS,Hisar, 2023) Rajan Papneja; Singh, SajjanEighteen New Zealand White rabbits of either sex at 24 weeks of age were randomly allocated to three treatments (six rabbits in each treatment). Rabbits in each treatment received different diets [Standard control diet (T1), Diet supplemented with Prebiotic @400 mg/kg concentrate (T2) and Diet supplemented with Probiotic @ 1 billion CFU/Kg concentrate (T3)] in addition to ad lib. berseem fodder. The concentrate mixture of group T1 were formulated using maize, soybean meal, ground nut cake, gram, mineral mixture and common salt. The concentrate diets formulated were isonitrogenous and iso-caloric. Results showed that diet supplemented with prebiotic and probiotic had improved growth performance parameters (body measurements) as compared to the control group. The total weight gain was statistically (p<0.05) higher in rabbits raised on diets supplemented with prebiotic (1563.67g) and probiotic (1557.17 g) as compared to standard control diet (1419.17 g). Significantly (p<0.05) higher serum total protein and globulin values and significantly (p<0.05) lower total serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein values were observed in prebiotic and probiotic supplemented groups than un-supplemented groups. In prebiotic (T2) and probiotic (T3) supplemented groups, the comparative calculated dressing percentage (57.28 and 57.07 %), body cut up parts i.e., foreleg (135.76 and 137.06 g), hind leg (230.69 and 233.11g), back (263.88 and 270.73g) and chest (219.78 and 226.75g) and meat bone ratio (5.35 and 5.38) showed the higher values as compare to dressing percentage (53.89%), body cut up parts i.e., foreleg ( 127.46g), hind leg (217.48g), back (243.29g) and chest (209.24g) and meat bone ratio (4.91) of control group. However, the per cent moisture content showed a non-significant (p ≤0.05) difference among all the groups, but significantly (P≤0.05) higher mean per cent protein of meat was recorded in T2 (19.17%) and T3 (19.52%) groups as compared to meat of T1 (17.61%) group. The total meat cholesterol levels (mg/g) in T2 and T3 group (160.38 and 159.81 mg/g) found lower as compared to control T1 group (163.67) of rabbit meat samples. Nutrient intake, digestibility of nutrients and nutritive value of ration was significantly (p<0.05) improved in rabbits raised with prebiotic and probiotic supplementation in their concentrates. The results inferred that rabbits fed prebiotic and pro biotic supplemented diets had improved feed intake, FCR and carcass characteristics. Feed cost per kg weight gain was found lowest in treatment group which was supplemented with probiotic.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of dietary supplementation of moringa oleifera leaf meal on performance, immune response, intestinal microflora and morphometry in poultry(2022-06) Sheoran, Nancy; Tewatia, B. S.To assess the effects of dietary supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on production performance, immune response, intestinal microflora and morphometry, a study was carried out on broilers and laying hens. First experiment was conducted on 300 one day old Vencobb broiler chicks randomly divided into five treatment groups with 6 replicates of 10 birds each. Second experiment was carried out on 160 laying hens randomly divided into five treatments with 4 replicates of 8 birds each. In both the experiments, T1 group was kept as negative control and given maize-soybean meal based basal ration without any antibiotic, while second group (T2) was kept as control and fed basal ration with antibiotic. In experimental groups T3, T4 and T5 basal ration was supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) @ 1%, 2% and 3%, respectively. In the experiment on broilers, the highest (P<0.05) body weight gain (2057.8g), better FCR (1.76) and higher nutrients metabolizability was observed in T5 group as compared to the control. Carcass traits viz. dressing percentage (78.06), eviscerated % (65.74), drawn % (74.56) and weight of lymphoid organs were recorded highest in T5 group. Human health friendly fatty acids like PUFA, PUFA/SFA and CLA‘s of breast and thigh meat increased (P<0.05) without affecting MUFA in T5 group. In laying hens, egg production parameters viz. percent hen day egg production, egg weight and egg mass improved in T5 group followed by T4. Egg quality parameters like albumin index, haugh unit, egg shell weight and egg shell thickness were observed to be improved (P<0.05) in groups T4 and T5. The fatty acids profile of eggs in respect of PUFA, PUFA/SFA and CLA‘s was improved (P<0.05) while saturated fatty acids and egg cholesterol deceased (P<0.05) in T5 group. Levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL under different treatments were reduced (P<0.05) on MOLM supplementation in both experiments and these were recorded lowest (P<0.05) in T5 group. Significant increase was observed in villi height and villi height/crypt depth in T5 group in both broilers and layers. Maximum (P<0.05) reduction in the Coliform count and increased Lactobacilli count in T5 group was also recorded. Improved (P<0.05) Hb level, total protein, albulin, globulin content, H/L ratio was recorded in T5 group in both experiments. Relative mRNA expression of TLR 2 in broilers as well as layers was enhanced (P<0.05) in groups supplemented with 2% (T4) and 3% (T5) MOLM. Cellular and humoral immunity was stimulated (P<0.05) in T5 group followed by T4 group. Net profit was higher in MOLM supplemented groups; however, it was maximumin in 3% MOLM supplemented group (T5). The results of this study showed that the inclusion of M. oleifera up to 3% in both broilers and laying hens rations improved (P<0.05) the production performance traits, meat and egg quality parameters and immune status of birds. Hence, M. oleifera leaf meal may be considered as a potential substitute of antibiotics in poultry rations.ThesisItem Restricted Assessment of minerals profile and nutritionalstatus of lactating cattle and buffaloes in raya-pearl millet growing zone of Haryana(Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Science, Hisar, 2023-11) Saharan, Vivek; Tewatia, B.S.An extensive survey was carried out to assess feeding practices, status of macro and micro minerals in feed, fodder, blood, milk and hair and to calculate correlation between intake and minerals status in blood, milk and hair of cattle and buffalo in raya-pearl millet growing zone of Haryana. The survey was conducted during June to November, 2021 (Kharif season) involving 504 dairy farmers. Bajra was the most preferred green fodder used by 74% of farmers followed by sorghum (37.3%) and grasses (35.5%), Wheat straw was the preferred dry roughage used by 90 % of the farmers followed by paddy straw (11.9%). Wheat grain (Dalia) was the common energy source fed by the farmers (54.6%) followed by bajra grain (34.9%). Pelleted concentrate feed was used by 27.7% farmers. Cotton seed cake and mustard cake were the main source of dietary protein used by 62.1% and 20.03% farmers, respectively. Mineral mixture was supplemented by 21.4% of the farmers whereas 83.1% farmers included common salt in the ration. Among dry roughage, maximum CP % was recorded in bajra kadbi (4.14), whereas least CP was recorded in wheat straw (3.06). Among green fodders, bajra fodder was most preferred while the highest CP was recorded in grasses followed by sorghum and bajra fodder. Bajra and wheat grain contained 11.15 and 12.18% crude protein, respectively. The highest CP was recorded in mustard cake followed by cotton seed cake and cotton seed and the values were 35.04, 22.31 and 20.16%, respectively. Green fodders contained appreciable quantities of Ca but deficient in Zn. All dry roughages were deficient in all minerals except Fe. In cereals, bajra was a richer source of Ca than wheat. Wheat contained more P than bajra. Wheat and bajra grain had sufficient amount of Cu but deficient in Mn. Protein sources, mustard cake, cotton seed and cotton seed cake were fairly rich in Ca, P, Zn, Cu and Fe but deficient in Mn. All these feedstuffs were rich in Fe. Dietary intake of Zn was inadequate in both cattle (86%) and buffaloes (95%). Manganese intake was also deficient in both cattle (71%) and buffaloes (76%) while intake of Fe was more than the requirement. Only 35% and 22% of the animals were receiving less Ca and P, respectively, than the requirement. Serum was marginally deficient in Ca and P. Serum Zn was within normal range (0.8 - 2 ppm) while serum Cu was below critical level in cattle in most of the zone except Gurugram, whereas in buffaloes it was below critical level in Gurugram, Mewat and Mahendragarh districts. Fe intake was high due to its high level in feeds; however, its level in serum was within the normal range. Serum Mn was above critical value (0.20 ppm). Milk samples were deficient in Zn and Cu. Hair samples were deficient in Zn and Cu which is indicative of their general deficiency in animal feeds. Correlation between intake of minerals and their level in biological samples indicated that hair reflects dietary intake of Zn and CuThesisItem Restricted Assessment of minerals profile and nutritionalstatus of lactating cattle and buffaloes in raya-pearl millet growing zone of Haryana(Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Science, Hisar, 2022-11) Saharan, Vivek; Tewatia, B.S.An extensive survey was carried out to assess feeding practices, status of macro and micro minerals in feed, fodder, blood, milk and hair and to calculate correlation between intake and minerals status in blood, milk and hair of cattle and buffalo in raya-pearl millet growing zone of Haryana. The survey was conducted during June to November, 2021 (Kharif season) involving 504 dairy farmers. Bajra was the most preferred green fodder used by 74% of farmers followed by sorghum (37.3%) and grasses (35.5%), Wheat straw was the preferred dry roughage used by 90 % of the farmers followed by paddy straw (11.9%). Wheat grain (Dalia) was the common energy source fed by the farmers (54.6%) followed by bajra grain (34.9%). Pelleted concentrate feed was used by 27.7% farmers. Cotton seed cake and mustard cake were the main source of dietary protein used by 62.1% and 20.03% farmers, respectively. Mineral mixture was supplemented by 21.4% of the farmers whereas 83.1% farmers included common salt in the ration. Among dry roughage, maximum CP % was recorded in bajra kadbi (4.14), whereas least CP was recorded in wheat straw (3.06). Among green fodders, bajra fodder was most preferred while the highest CP was recorded in grasses followed by sorghum and bajra fodder. Bajra and wheat grain contained 11.15 and 12.18% crude protein, respectively. The highest CP was recorded in mustard cake followed by cotton seed cake and cotton seed and the values were 35.04, 22.31 and 20.16%, respectively. Green fodders contained appreciable quantities of Ca but deficient in Zn. All dry roughages were deficient in all minerals except Fe. In cereals, bajra was a richer source of Ca than wheat. Wheat contained more P than bajra. Wheat and bajra grain had sufficient amount of Cu but deficient in Mn. Protein sources, mustard cake, cotton seed and cotton seed cake were fairly rich in Ca, P, Zn, Cu and Fe but deficient in Mn. All these feedstuffs were rich in Fe. Dietary intake of Zn was inadequate in both cattle (86%) and buffaloes (95%). Manganese intake was also deficient in both cattle (71%) and buffaloes (76%) while intake of Fe was more than the requirement. Only 35% and 22% of the animals were receiving less Ca and P, respectively, than the requirement. Serum was marginally deficient in Ca and P. Serum Zn was within normal range (0.8 - 2 ppm) while serum Cu was below critical level in cattle in most of the zone except Gurugram, whereas in buffaloes it was below critical level in Gurugram, Mewat and Mahendragarh districts. Fe intake was high due to its high level in feeds; however, its level in serum was within the normal range. Serum Mn was above critical value (0.20 ppm). Milk samples were deficient in Zn and Cu. Hair samples were deficient in Zn and Cu which is indicative of their general deficiency in animal feeds. Correlation between intake of minerals and their level in biological samples indicated that hair reflects dietary intake of Zn and Cu.
