Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of calves of Cholistani breed of cattle fed on fattening rations
under local climatic conditions. Twenty male calves of approximately equal weight, age and size were included in
the experiment. All the calves were below one year of age (8-12 months) and their average weight was 133 Ibs
(105-165 Ibs.) The animals were divided into four homogenous groups, A, B, C and 0 of five calves in each
according to their initial bodyweight and were allotted to four rations, A, B, C & D. Corresponding to each group.
The experiment lasted for 91 days. Daily weight gain, feed and protein utilization efficiencies were compared
among groups. The calves fed cottonseed cake based diet (Ration, B) gained the highest weight Of 0.71
kg/head/day followed by Anmol Vanda* based diet (Ration, A) (Control Group) gained 0.69 kg while maize gluten
and wheat bran based diets gained 0.62 kg (Ration, D) and 0.50 kg (Ration, C ) respectively. All groups
significantly differed (P<0.01) from each other for daily weight gain but there was no significant difference (P>
0.05) between Groups A,B & 0 and C & D. All groups also significantly differed (P<0.01) from each other for feed
utilization efficiencies, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between groups A&B, B&D and C&D. The
results for feed conversion efficiencies were 8.13 / 7.26 kg, 10.24 / 9.21 kg, 13.93 / 12.58 kg and 11.86 / 10.73 kg
on as fed and OM basis for rations, A, B, C and D respectively .The results for protein utilization efficiency differed
(P<0.01) among groups but it was the lowest in case of group A and no significant difference was found between
the groups A&B, B&D and C&D both on as fed and OM basis. The Protein utilization efficiencies were
1.13/1.01 kg, 1.35/1.21 kg, 1.84/1.66kg, 1.56/1.42kg On as fed and OM basis for rations A, B, C and 0 respectively.
All the rations were equally good for live weight gain in calves however ration C was the lowest among the other
groups. The Cholistani cattle calves possessed great potential to be used for fattening and although the feed and
protein conversion efficiencies were slightly better for Anmol vanda, but on the basis of more weight gain and
lower cost, the cotton seed cake based diet was recommended to Cholistani farmers for fattening their animals.
A concentrate ration being prepared on commercial basis at difference Livestock Farm of Punjab and used as a
source of protein.
