A STUDY ON COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF MAIZE, SORGHUM AND SUPER NAPIER SILAGE BASED TOTAL MIXED RATIONS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF NELLORE LAMBS
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Date
2022-03
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SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA
Abstract
The present research was carried to study the physicochemical properties of Maize, Super Napier and Sorghum silages and comparative efficacy of Maize, Super Napier and Sorghum silage based total mixed rations (TMR) on growth performance, body condition score, cost per kg weight gain and hematological profiles in Nellore lambs.
Significant difference was not observed in colour, smell, consistency, sensory score among Maize, Super Napier and Sorghum silages. The pH values observed for Maize, Super Napier, Sorghum silages were 3.86, 4.00 and 3.93, respectively and the difference was not significant. The mean dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, total ash % was not significantly different among the silages. The ether extract % was significantly (P<0.01) high in Sorghum silage, crude fibre, NDF, ADF and calcium % was significantly (P<0.01) high in Super Napier silage, while phosphorus content was significantly (P<0.01) high and acid insoluble ash content was significantly (P<0.01) low in maize silage. Eighteen Nellore lambs of about 3 months age with uniform body weights were randomly divided in to 3 groups of 6 animals in a completely randomized design. Maize, Super Napier and Sorghum silage based TMR were prepared by mixing the silage and concentrate about 90:10 ratio and assigned to T1 (Maize silage based TMR), T2 (Super Napier silage based TMR), T3 (Sorghum silage based TMR) group lambs as per their nutrient requirements.
The mean fortnightly DMI was significantly (P<0.01) high (6.33±0.12) in T1 group than T2 (5.35 ±0.09) and T3 (5.61 ±0.10) groups, while the difference was not significant between T2 and T3 groups. The mean weight gain (kg) during the experiment was 8.21±1.09, 7.04±1.34 and 7.19±1.49, for T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively. There was no significant difference observed in mean fortnightly body weights as well as overall weight gain in lambs fed with Maize, Super Napier and Sorghum silage based TMR. The average daily weight gains (g) of T1, T2 and T3 group lambs were 91.22±12.18, 78.22±14.91 and 79.89±20.26, respectively and the difference among the groups was not significant. The mean feed conversion ratio of T1, T2 and T3 group lambs were 4.63±1.19, 4.60 ±1.43 and 4.72 ± 1.24, respectively and the difference among the groups was not significant. Significant difference was not observed in body condition score among T1, T2 and T3 group lambs. The mean RBC count (106/ μL), haemoglobin (g/dL), and MCV (fl) values were not differ significantly among different experimental groups of lambs. The PCV (%) was significantly (P<0.05) high in T1 group than T2 and T3 groups, while the difference was not significant between T2 and T3 groups.
The cost per kg production of Maize, Super Napier and Sorghum silages was ₹ 3.22, 2.81 and 3.04, respectively. The cost (₹) per kg weight gain in T1, T2 and T3 groups was 157.76, 146.21 and 151.25, respectively. The present study concluded that feeding of Super Napier silage based TMR is economical compared to the Sorghum and Maize silage based TMR under intensive system of lamb production.
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