EFFECTS OF UREA SUPPLEMENTION AND UREA TREATED RICE STRAW DIET ON THE BODY WEIGHT GAIN OF LOCAL EMACIATED CALVES OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Six local calves approximately 1.5 to 2.5 years of age with an average live weight of 64 kg were divided into 3 dietary groups according to some scope and privileges. They were given 3 different straw based rations namely, Urea supplemented diet (Diet-A), Urea-molasses treated rice straw diet (Diet-B) and Untreated rice straw diet (Diet-C). Each animals received 2 kg straw with ad libitum green grass (average 1 kg) daily for 70 days. Total body weight gain and dry matter intake were determined. The total dry matter intake in the dietary animals group-A and B was higher than the dietary animals group-C but not significant (p>0.05) (difference is 13 kg). But significantly higher body weight gain was observed in the animals’ group-B which have given the urea-molasses treated rice straw diet as compared to the urea supplemented diet and urea untreated control group.