Effect of feeding water-soaked and dry wheat straw on feed intake, digestibility of nutrients and VFA production in growing zebu and buffalo calves

Abstract

Experiments were conducted on 12 male growing calves of zebu cattle {Bos indicus) and buffalo (Bos bubalis) to study the effect of feeding wheat straw presoaked with water on the voluntary feed intake, digestibility coefficients of nutrients and volatile fatty acid concentration and production. The feed intake was improved significantly (P < 0-05) in both the species as a result of soaking. The digestibility of crude protein and crude fibre was depressed (P < 0-05), whereas the nitrogen-free extract utilization increased significantly {P < 0'01) on soaking of straw. The availability of digestible energy and metabolizable energy was also more as a result of water treatment of wheat straw. The production rates of total volatile fatty acids and acetic acid were higher in both the species fed on water-soaked wheat straw. It is concluded that pre-soaking of wheat straw for 1-2 h with ordinary tap water may give an overall beneficial effect in both zebu and buffalo calves. INTRODUCTIONWheat straw is one of the main roughages used as a cattle feed in many parts of the world. Factors limiting intake and digestibility of wheat straw are the high content of lignin, and its dustiness which makes it unpalatable to animals. In the present experiments attempts were made to increase its palatability by soaking in water, which in turn may result in more feed consumption and improve feed efficiency. The digestibility of nutrients and volatile fatty acid production rates in zebu calves and buffalo calves were estimated.

Effect of adding water to paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum) hay on the feed intake of sheep

“…The lignification of the paspalum hay and its tensile strength would be different from that of cereal straw. This may explain the greater response in the present experiment than in that of Chaturvedi et al (1973). The infusion of water directly into the rumen of the sheep did not increase their intake of hay, suggesting that palatability was a major effect.…”

“…The addition of water to the chaffed hay increased the feed intake by 19-5% in the absence of urea and 20-8% if added to the chaffed hay sprayed with urea, showing that the effects of water and urea were additive. Chaturvedi, Singh & Ranjhan (1973) found that the intake of watersoaked chaffed wheat straw was 8-4 % greater than that of dry straw. The lignification of the paspalum hay and its tensile strength would be different from that of cereal straw.…”

Comparative dry matter intake and nutrient utilisation efficiency in lactating cattle and buffaloes

“…Sen et al 62 noted that buffaloes consumed more dry matter than cattle of similar age and body weight. Chaturvedi et al 63 did not find any significant difference in DMI of cattle and buffaloes. Ranjhan and Krishnamohan2 observed that consumption of dry matter by buffaloes as compared with cattle was between 73.1 to 116.9%.…”

The relationship between rumen bacterial growth, intake of dry matter, digestible organic matter and volatile fatty acid production in buffalo (Bos bubalis) calves

“…Estimations of VFA production rates VFA production rates were estimated by the single-injection isotope-dilution technique as described previously (Chaturvedi, Singh & Ranjhan, 1973).…”

“…The samples were freed of large particulate matter using specially-buiIt probes covered with fine nylon gauge as described previously (Chaturvedi et al 1973). …”