Comparative Study on the Nutritive Values of Oats and Maize Silages in Crossbred Growing Calves

Twelve numbers of growing crossbred calves of uniform age and body weight (6–8 months and 72.25±0.53kg) were randomly divided in to two groups of six calves in each and fed individually on ad libitum quantities of oats silage (T₁) vis-à-vis maize silage (T₂) for a period of 90 days. The daily average as well as the percent of body weight of the dry matter intake did not vary significantly; however, the intake per kg metabolic body weight in group T₁ was significantly lower (75.46±2.31g/day) in comparison to group T₂ (101.06±4.31g/day). The DCP and TDN contents of both the silages were not significant from each other though the values were higher in oats silage (4.25±0.05and 62.55±0.19) in comparison to the maize silage (3.53±0.05 and 55.02±0.47). The ADG of the calves did not varies significantly between the groups though the efficiency of feeding observed in T₁ (9.94±0.83) group was significantly better compare to group T₂ (15.25±2.32). Significantly lower cost of feeding per kg gain was recorded in the calves with oats silage (Rs. 42.68/kg gain) in comparison to calves fed with maize silage (Rs. 68.85/kg gain) indicating oats silage have better effect on the growth performances, nutrient digestibility and cost efficiency in comparison to maize silage in crossbred growing calves.