Effect Of Feeding Different Levels Of Whole Cottonseed On Performance Of Weaned Calves

Abstract

A study was carried out to examine the effects of feeding varying levels of whole cottonseed on the performance of weaned calves. Twenty Friesian x Bunaji heifers and eight bull calves, age between 5 and 6 months, and weighing between 100 and 170kg were fed four concentrate diets formulated to contain 0, 25, 50 and 75% whole cottonseed, to determine the effect of level of whole cottonseed on their performance. The result of the study shows that concentrate intake by calves was significantly higher in calves fed 0 and 25% than in 50 and 75% whole cottonseed diets. Daily weight gains averaged 0.87, 0.45, 0.35 and 0.21 kg for the calves fed 0, 25, 50 and 75% whole cottonseed diets, respectively. Changes in blood parameters were not significant (P>0.05) in across treatments. Dry and organic matter digestibilities declined with increase in the level of whole cottonseed in the diet. Crude protein, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, and ether extract digestibilities increased with increase in the level of whole cottonseed. The study shows that calves could be fed diets containing up to 25% without adverse effects.

Keywords: Whole cottonseed, Growth, Blood profile, Calves

Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 27 (3) 2006 pp. 36-45