Vol. 9, Special Issue 5, Part F (2024)

Author(s): SN Jadhao, KU Bidwe, PA Kahate, RR Shelke and SP Nage

Abstract: The present experiment entitled “Effect of feeding sprouted maize (zea mays) on dry matter intake and body weight gain of indigenous calves” was conducted at Livestock Instructional Farm, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science Dr. P.D.K.V. Akola during 2023-24.The treatment was planned as T1 (Dry Fodder (ad lib.) + Green Fodder + Concentrate), T2 (Dry Fodder (ad lib) + Green Fodder + 80% concentrate + 20% unsprouted maize (Crush Maize), T3 (Dry Fodder (ad lib) + Green Fodder + 80% concentrate + 20% 3 Days sprouted maize) and T4 (Dry Fodder (ad lib) + Green Fodder + 80% concentrate + 20% 5 Days sprouted maize) and experiment was conducted for the period of 90 days. the results revealed that, the daily DM intake was affected significantly over the experimental period. The calves from T3 groups consumed more DM than that of T1, T2 and T4 groups. 1.59, 1.79, 1.82 and 1.80 kg/day/calves in T1, T2, T3 and T4 group respectively. The Average Weight gain/day in T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 0.264, 0.284, 0.318 and 0.310 kg respectively. The average period weight gain was 28.65, 27.90, 25.54 and 23.84 highest in T3 followed by T4, T2 and T1 significantly lowest weight gain was recorded in T1 treatment.