PERFORMANCE OF WEANED BUNAJI-BULL-CALVES FED DIFFERENT CONCENTRATE TO HAY RATIO DIETS IN A TOTAL-MIXED-RATION WITH A COCKTAIL OF EXOGENOUS ENZYME

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding different concentrate to hay ratio diets in a Totalmixed-ration with a cocktail of exogenous enzymes on the growth performance of weaned Bunaji bull calves. Twenty weaned bunaji bull calves with average live weight of 85±5.0 kg was randomly allotted to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with five animals per treatment. The results showed that dry matter (94.43 - 95.47%) and ether extract (1.20 – 1.56%) contents were relatively similar. The crude protein contents were highest (15.75%) in TMR 1 (40:60) and lowest (8.40%) in TMR 2 (40:60 + enzyme) while the crude fibre content was highest (26.21%) in TMR 4 (20:80) and lowest (13.59%) in TMR 1 (40:60). The performance of weaned bunaji bull calves differed (P<0.05) across the treatment. Total weight gain (25kg), daily weight gain (0.37kg/day) and feed conversion ratio (10.61) were best in bull calves fed TMR 3 (30:70 + enzyme) compared to other treatments. However, total feed intake was highest (P<0.05) in bull calves fed TMR 1 (40:60) but lowest in bull calves fed TMR 4 (20:80 + enzyme. It was concluded that the best performance in total weight (25kg), daily weight gain (0.37kg) and feed conversion were obtained on 30:70 + enzyme concentrate to hay ratio. Hence, farmers should adopt TMR of 30:70 + enzyme concentrate to hay ratios for improved overall growth performance in weaned bull calves.