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Some factors affecting productive and reproductive performance of Friesian heifers
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Abstract: Eighteen male Friesian calves averaging 275 kg body weight were used to study the effect of feeding rations containing two different levels of poultry litter and corn silage on digestibility, nutritive values, animal performance and minerals status.
Calves were divided into three similar groups assigned randomly to feed on three experimental rations as follows:
R1 (control): 65 % concentrate feed mixture + 15 % berseem hay 3 third cut + 20 % rice straw.
R2: 12.5 % poultry litter + 12.5 % corn grain + 75 % corn silage. R3: 25 % poultry litter + 25 % corn grain + 50 % corn silage.
The results showed that digestibility coefficients, nutritive value, pH and ammonia-N were higher in R2 and R3 compared with the control group, mean while the TVFA's was lower in R2 and R3 comported with the control group.Live body gain and feed efficiency recorded higher value in R2 than R3 and the control group.
Minerals content of poultry litter was higher compared with the other ingrediens feedstuffs. Minerals contents of the experimental rations increased with increasing the level of poultry litter. Minerals intake, absorption and retention increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing the level of poultry litter. The efficiency of minerals absorption and retention significantly decreased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary minerals intake.
Minerals concentrations in blood and seminal plasma, liver, kidneys, testis and muscles of Friesian calves increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing the level of poultry litter and decreasing the level of corn silage in the rations. The concentrations of minerals in blood and seminal plasma, liver, kidneys, testis and muscle of Friesian calves fed R3 (contained 25% poultry litter) were higher than the normal levels.
It could be concluded that using 12.5% from poultry litter with 50% corn silage in feeding of Frisian calves appeared to give better results of daily gain and more efficient to get feed efficiency as well as to cover the mineral efficiency.
Keywords: Growing Friesian calves, poultry litter, corn silage, minerals, blood and seminal plasma, body tissues.
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| Publication year |
2005
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| Pages |
1801-1811
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| Availability location |
معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى- الجيزة
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| Availability number |
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| Organization Name |
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| City |
المنصورة
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| serial title |
Journal of Agricultural Science Mansoura University
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| ISSN |
1110-0346
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| Author(s) from ARC |
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| Agris Categories |
Animal physiology - Nutrition
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AGROVOC
TERMS |
Heifers.
Performance testing.
Production.
Reproductive performance.
Seasons.
Weaning weight.
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| Proposed Agrovoc |
traditional rations;
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| Publication Type |
Journal
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