Bhuyan, R.Terangpi, Sangmirlin2019-08-012019-08-012016-07http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810118211Eighteen male cross bred calves of about 9 to 10 months of age weighing average 72.2 kg body weight were randomly distributed into three treatment groups as T1, T2 and T3 respectively with 6 animals in each group by using randomized block design (RBD). T1 was fed with 100% paddy stover, concentrate mixture in the ratio 60:40 and green roughage as total mixed ration (TMR), T2 was fed with feed block consisting of 100% paddy stover, concentrate mixture and molasses in the ratio 60:30:10 and green roughage separately and T3 was fed with feed block consisting of 50% paddy stover, 50% paddy straw, concentrate mixture and molasses in the ratio 60:30:10 and green roughage separately. The three treatment groups were fed the same concentrate mixture containing 17.07 per cent DCP and 79.04 percent TDN for 90 days. Towards the end of the experiment a metabolism trial was conducted for 5 days. The average daily gain and FCE of different treatment groups were 94.44±3.18, 140.0±1.07 and 250.4±2.38 g; 19.32±0.74, 14.46±0.18 and 8.69±0.16 in T1, T2 and T3 groups respectively. Highly significant (P<0.001) difference were observed among the treatment groups in respect of gain per day and FCE. DM intake was highest in T3 followed by T2 and T1 (P<0.001). Digestibility coefficient of OM, CP and NDF were higher in T2 and T3 groups when compared with T1 (P<0.01). The digestibility coefficient of DM, CF and ADF in T2 and T3 higher (P<0.01) when compared with T1, however, no significant difference were observed between T2 and T3 groups. Digestibility coefficient of NFE was highest in T3 and lowest in T1 group (P<0.05) but no significant difference was observed between T1 and T2 and T2 and T3 groups. The EE digestibility were 62.99% in T1 and 67.91% in T3 and differences were non significant (P>0.05). All the animals of different treatment groups were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. The blood constituent viz. serum glucose, serum total protein, serum albumin, serum globulin were within the normal range for crossbred calves but were highest in T3 followed by T2 and T1 (P<0.001). The serum cholesterol level was highest in T1 (P<0.001). The albumin/globulin ratio which was non significant (P>0.05) among the treatment groups. Plane of nutrition revealed that protein and energy received by the different treatment groups of animals (T1, T2 and T3) were adequate for maintenance on the basis of metabolic body weight. The cost per kg gain in body weight was lowest (Rs. 91.96) in T3 group in comparison to T1 (Rs. 133.40) and T2 (Rs. 137.42). The result suggested that crossbred calves can be reared on feeding of complete feed block having 50% paddy straw, 50% paddy stover (out of 60% roughage) and concentrate with molasses in the ratio 60:30:10, plus ad lib green roughage with economic advantage.ennullThesis