Effect of Varying Levels of Whole Cottonseed Supplementation on Concentrate Intake, Weight Gain and Blood Parameters in FriesianxBunaji and Bunaji Heifers
Abstract:
A study was carried out to determine the effects of
varying levels of whole cottonseed on feed intake, weight gain and blood
parameters in FriesianxBunaji and Bunaji heifers. Twenty FriesianxBunaji
and 24 Bunaji pre-pubertal heifers were divided to 4 groups of 5 and 6
animals/group. Animals in each group were fed 1 of 4 experimental concentrate
diets containing 0, 25, 50 and 75% whole cottonseed for 140 days. The
result of the study showed that concentrate intake declined with increase
in the level of whole cottonseed in dieting averaging 4.2, 3.3, 3.1 and
2.9 kg head -1day -1 in FriesianxBunaji fed 0, 25,
50 and 75% whole cottonseed diets, respectively. The corresponding intake
figures for the Bunaji heifers were 3.1, 2.9, 2.5 and 2.2 kg head -1
day -1. Mean daily weight gain were 0.59, 0.59, 0.48 and 0.64
kg in FriesianxBunaji and 0.48, 0.41 and 0.50 C kg in Bunaji heifers fed
0, 25, 50 and 75% whole cottonseed levels, respectively. Changes in blood
parameters were not significant in both FriesianxBunaji and Bunaji heifers
across treatments. The study showed that heifers could be fed diets containing
up to 75% whole cottonseed, respectively without adverse effects.
P.P. Barje, O.W. Ehoche, L.O. Eduvie, A.A. Voh Jr, G.N. Akpa and O.S. Lamidi, 2008. Effect of Varying Levels of Whole Cottonseed Supplementation on Concentrate Intake, Weight Gain and Blood Parameters in FriesianxBunaji and Bunaji Heifers. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 3: 1-8.
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