NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
DIGESTIBILITY TRIALS ON INDIAN FEEDING STUFFS
143
The grasses were cut rather late, and much of the inflorescence was lost. The
inflorescence of Andropogon contortus Lin. locally known as Saryala contained many
fine spiral spikes, which caused some inconvenience to the animals and perhaps
detracted from the digestibility of the feed.
5. Kasauli Hay.—This hay was composed of five grasses:—
1. Apluda varia, Ver. Mutica. 2. Apluda varia, Vari. Aristata. 3. Anthis-
tiria anathera, (Loonder Ghas). 4. Andropogon contortus (Saryala).
5. Andropogon monticola, Schult collected through a contractor from the
hills lying between Kalka and Kasauli during the months of November
and December 1927.
This hay seems to have been made from over matured grasses and also con-
tained Andropogon contortus the presence of whose spiked inflorescence perhaps
adversely affects its digestibility.
Table I shows the chemical composition and mineral analyses of the various
grasses.
Table II shows the digestibility factors, while Tables III and IV give dietary
standards and details of daily nitrogen balance respectively.
FEEDING TRIALS.
The grass hays from Ferozepur and Jhelum were maintenance rations and for
purposes of convenience have been dealt with first.
Ferozepur Hay. (Heifers NOS. 122, 128, 133) 13th May 1929—19th July 1929.
Chemical and mineral analyses of the hay showed it to be very rich as com-
pared with the others. It contained a high percentage of protein, phosphorous,
potash and sodium, which factors were reflected in the high digestibility coefficients
of its ash and protein, namely, 38.57 and 58.41 respectively, higher figures than
were found for these ingredients in any of the other hays. A high percentage
of digestible protein in this hay in conjunction with a high mineral content was
reflected in the high positive daily nitrogen balance showing it to be a maintenance
ration for the cows used. The daily body weight curve (figure 1) also displays an
upward trend.
Grass hays from Ambala and Sialkot tried in previous years (Mem. of the Imp.
Dept. of Agric. in India, Chemical Series, Vol. IX, No. 7, and Vol. X, No. 5) were
also mixtures of the same grasses and proved to be maintenance rations.
Jhelum Hay. (Heifers 122, 128, 133) 15th January 1929—28th February
1929.
In its mineral and chemical composition and digestibility coefficient of
protein this hay comes next to the Ferozepur hay. The digestibility co-
efficient for protein was two-thirds that of the Ferozepur hay and that for ash
144 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ II, II
almost half, but the fibre showed a higher digestibility coefficient. The daily
nitrogen balance of 0.14 to 2.01 grammes as against 6.35 to 13.33 for Ferozepur
hay showed it to be a maintenance ration. The fact must not be lost sight of that
different animals vary to some extent in their powers of consumption and assimila-
tion, e.g., the Ferozepur and Jhelum hays were tried on the same animals, namely,
heifers Nos. 122, 128 and 133, but while heifer No. 122 ate the greatest quantity of
Jhelum hay, the digestibility coefficients were almost parallel with those obtained
with the other two animals. A daily nitrogen retention, however, of 2.01 grammes,
in the case of No. 122 compares favourably with the figures for the other two
animals showing a daily nitrogen retention of 0.14 and 0.33 grammes respectively.
Kasauli Hay. (Heifers 123, 124, 129) 15th January 1929— 28th February
1929.
Reference to the negative daily nitrogen balances in Table IV shows this hay
to the below maintenance standard. On the basis of previous experience with a
similar hay from Rawalpindi [Lander and Lal Chand Dharmani, 1929], 3 lbs., 2 lbs.,
and 1 lb. of wheat bran respectively were added to the rations of heifers Nos. 123,
124 and 129 in order to effect a maintenance ration. Rawalpindi and Kasauli hays
appeared from the data obtained to be roughages of similar type from the point of
view of chemical composition, mineral content and digestibility coefficient figures.
We found that 1 lb. of added bran could repair nitrogen deficiency to the extent of
7.92 grammes per day in our trials with Rawalpindi hay on cows of similar de-
scription. Consequently 3 lbs. of bran might be expected to effect an addition of
23.76 grammes of nitrogen for retention in the animal economy per day. We
found, however, with the Kasuali hay that 3 lbs. of added bran fed per day to
heifer No. 123 gave us a positive nitrogen balance of 10.15 grammes equivalent
therefore to an addition of 16.47 grammes nitrogen per day or 5.49 grammes
nitrogen per lb. of bran fed. Similarly the addition of 2 lbs. of bran in the ration
of heifer 124 effected an addition of 8.31 grammes nitrogen per day, or 4.16
grammes per lb. of bran fed. Again an addition of 1 lb. bran to the hay ration of
heifer 129 effected an addition of 5.03 grammes nitrogen per day. These figures
are of interest in comparison with Rawalpindi hay where 1 lb. of added bran
repaired a nitrogen deficiency of 7.92 grammes per day, if we keep in mind the fact
that the bran used with Kasuah hay was only 72 per cent. as rich in protein as that
used with the earlier Rawalpindi hay trials [Lander and Lal Chand Dharmani,
1929].
The figures showing the efficiency of added bran to the hay ration of these
three cows are almost similar. On the basis of the above data No. 123 which was
losing 6.32 grammes nitrogen daily should have had 1.2 lbs. of bran and heifers
DIGESTIBILITY TRIALS ON INDIAN FEEDING STUFFS
145
Nos. 124 and 129, which were respectively losing 3.42 and 4.18 grammes of nitrogen
daily should have had 0.8 lbs. each of added bran for effecting a maintenance
ration. Nos. 123, 124 and 129, weighed 379, 360 and 389 lbs. respectively. It
may, therefore, be suggested that dry cows weighing 350 to 400 lbs. require for
maintenance 1 to 1½ lbs. added bran in addition to the Kasauli grass hay of the
above composition when fed ad-lib.
Dalhousie Hay. (Heifers Nos. 123, 124 and 129) 13th May 1929—19th July
1929.
This was slightly poorer than the Kasuali hay in protein and mineral con-
stituents and gave lower digestibility coefficient figures for its protein. It was also
a non-maintenance ration as judged by the daily nitrogen balance. The body
weight curve (figure 1) in this period gently slopes downwards.
Using the bran additions to the Kasauli hay as a basis for trial 2 lbs., 1.5 lbs.
and 1.5 lbs. of bran per day were added to the Dalhousie hay ration fed ad-lib to
cows 123, 124 and 129 respectively. This bran being richer in protein than that
fed with the Kasauli hay in the proportion of 13.56 to 10.13. In the case of heifer
No. 123, 2 lbs. of added bran effected a retention of 12.15 grammes of nitrogen per
day or 6.08 grammes of nitrogen per lb. of bran fed, while 1.5 lbs. of added bran
gave an addition of 9.60 and 9.22 grammes of nitrogen or 6. 40 and 6.14 grammes
nitrogen per lb. of added bran in case of heifers Nos. 124 and 129 respectively. On
the basis of these data, therefore, heifers Nos. 123, 124 and 129 weighing from 350 to
400 lbs. would require 1.3, 0.9, 1.0 lbs. of bran respectively, or from 1 to 1.5 lbs.
say, of added bran per day in addition to the hay fed ad-lib to maintain themselves.
Multan Hay. (Janewa) (Heifers Nos. 122, 128 and 133) 12th March 1929—
30th April 1929.
The percentage of ash and fibre is higher in this hay than in the Kasauli and
Dalhousie hays, but the protein is the lowest of all the grasses used. Phosphates
are lower than in Musel hay, but higher than in the Dalhousie hay. The sodium
and potassium content was higher than in the case of Kasauli and Dalhousie hays.
The digestibility coefficient figures for protein are lowest in the case of heifers
Nos. 122 and 128 and negative in the case of No. 133, in which case the figure for
ash is also negative.
This hay was a non-maintenance ration as judged by the daily nitrogen balance
figures (—6.05, —6.27 and —6.17 grammes daily nitrogen balance for heifers
Nos. 122, 128 and 133 respectively). On the basis of the Kasauli hay figures, 2 lbs.
of bran were added to the ration of each animal to make up the nitrogen deficiency.
This gave an addition of 12.95, 11.72 and 11.66 or 6.47, 5.86 and 5.83 grammes
nitrogen per lb. of added bran respectively for heifers Nos. 122, 128 and 133. The
146 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ II, II
bran used was poorer in portein than the one fed with Dalhousie hay but richer
than that fed with Kasauli hay, 1 lb. of added bran therefore effects a daily nitrogen
retention of 6.1 grammes and therefore 1—1.25 lbs. of added bran in addition to
Janewa hay fed ad-lib, would effect a maintenance ration for cows of the above
description.
Multan Muscl Hay — (Heifers Nos. 123, 124 and 129) 12th March 1929—30th
April 1929.
In chemical and mineral composition this hay was similar to Janewa hay
except the lower figure for sodium content and the digestibility coefficient of its
protein were higher than those of Janewa hay. This hay was also a non-mainten-
ance ration as judged by the daily nitrogen balance. Heifers Nos. 123, 124 and
129, lost 5.75, 5.06 and 4.60 grms of nitrogen per day respectively. To the
rations of each animal 1.5 lbs. of bran was added which effected a nitrogen reten-
tion of 8.18, 9.64, and 9.15 grms of nitrogen per day or 5.45, 6.42 and 6.10
grms of nitrogen per lb. of bran for the respective three rations or an average
6.0 grms. Calculations therefore show that these three heifers require to be
fed 1.1 lbs, 0.8 lb. and 0.8 lb. of bran respectively or from 1.00 lb. to 1.25 lbs. of
added bran in addition to the hay to effect maintenance ration.
Wheat Bhusa (Straw of Triticum vulgare).—(Heifers Nos. 122, 128 and 133),
5th August 1929—7th September 1929.
Wheat-bhusa is a basal roughage in the Punjab particularly in the plains
and in order to ascertain its feeding value in comparison with various grass hays
heifers Nos. 122, 128 and 133 were put on to a wheat-bhusa ration alone (1929
crop) at the end of the hay periods, after which bran was added in order to bring
the bhusa-bran mixture to a maintenance standard. Reference to Table I shows
wheat-bhusa to be very fibrous and low in protein content (2.19 per cent.). The
low protein content was reflected in the negative digestibility coefficients found,
namely —14.29, —18.18, and nil in case of heifers Nos. 122, 133 and 128 respec-
tively. With the exception of the digestibility coefficients of ash which were nega-
tive in all three cases the other constituents show coefficients comparable with
those of grass hays. The poverty of wheat-bhusa in protein is further reflected in
the negative daily nitrogen balance of the animals which prove it to be a non-
maintenance ration as also did the fact that the animals lost weight as shown by
the steady falls in the body weight curves (figure 1). It was found that the three
heifers Nos. 122, 128 and 133 lost respectively 9.43, 7.69 and 7.98 grammes of
nitrogen per day and so 2 lbs. of wheat bran were given to each per day in addition
to bhusa fed ad-lib in order to work out the amount of added bran required to
effect a maintenance ration.
DIGESTIBILITY TRIALS ON INDIAN FEEDING STUFFS
147
This addition converted the negative daily nitrogen balances of the heifers
Nos. 122, 128 and 133 to positive 4.76, 4.65 and 6.55 grammes respectively and the
upward tendency of the body weight curves shows that the animals also improved
in their body weights.
These figures show that 2 lbs. of bran have effected a daily addition of 14.19,
12.34 and 14.53 grammes of nitrogen in case of heifers Nos. 122, 128 and 133
respectively, or 7.10, 6.17 and 7.27 grammes of nitrogen per lb. of bran added.
The average of the above figures shows that 1 lb. of added bran can repair a
nitrogen deficiency to the extent of 6.85 grammes with wheat-bhusa fed ad-lib to
the animals of the given description.
On the basis of the above calculations, in order to effect a maintenance ration,
from a nitrogen equilibrium point of view, the heifers, 122, 128 and 133 should have
been given 1.3, 1.2 and 1.1 lbs. of added wheat bran respectively in addition to the
wheat-bhusa fed ab-lib. Heifers weighing from 350 to 450 lbs. should thus require
for their maintenance from 1 to 1.5 lbs. of added bran when fed on bhusa alone, as
a roughage.
The following Table gives the analytical and digestibility coefficient figures of
wheat-bhusa obtained from trials at Lyallpur in the years, 1921, 1922 and 1929:—
—
Chemical Composition.
1921
.....
1922
1929
Digestibility Coefficients.
1921 .
.
. .
1922 .
.
.
.
1.
2.
1.
2.
1929 . . . .
Dry
matter.
Per cent.
94.29
91.46
92.40
46.93
44.76
55.78
61.10
46.70
52.24
47.19
Ash.
Per cent.
7.58
7.08
9.43
—36.25
—37.79
11.50
17.38
—5.00
Nil
—8.17
Fat.
Per cent.
0.72
0.74
0.88
—1.67
—3.74
43.87
52.32
33.33
33.33
40.00
Fibre.
Per cent.
39.87
41.36
38.94
61.53
59.13
65.05
72.26
59.04
65.31
59.11
Protein.
Per cent.
1.72
3.70
2.19
—42.65
—43.09
35.84
42.36
—14.29
Nil
—18.18
Nitrogen
free
extract.
Per cent.
44.40
38.58
40.96
52.26
50.13
56.31
59.51
50.38
55.04
52.12
P
148 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ II, II
The chemical composition of the various wheat-bhusa samples (other than the
percentage of protein in the 1922 sample) does not present sufficiently marked
differences to warrant any definite distinction being made in them. The low per-
centage of protein in the 1921 and 1929 samples is reflected in their negative diges-
tibility coefficients for protein. The digestibility coefficients of ash are also negative
in the same samples, but the negativity is less in case of the 1929 sample, possibly
due to a higher percentage of protein. The 1922 sample compares favourably with
some of the grass hays both from the point of view of chemical composition and
also digestibility coefficients.
Wheat-bhusa, which varies in composition from year to year due to seasonal
variations, is seldom a maintenance ration.
SUMMARY.
Digestibility trials carried out on grass hays collected from the Military Grass
Farms at Jhelum, Ferozepur, Kasauli, Dalhousie and Multan have revealed very
wide variations in chemical composition and nutritive value from the view point of
maintenance rations. This variation is due to a number of factors chief of which
are firstly the variation in the composition of the grasses themselves and secondly,
and perhaps most important of all, variations due to the fact that the hays are
made from grasses collected when in different stages of maturity. Emphasis must
be laid on the fact that when a grass is cut in the late or post-flowering stage, it
has lost much of its nutritive value and the resulting hay will be a poor one.
Difficulties are undoubtedly experienced in collecting grasses at a period when it
contains the maximum nutritive ingredients, but it is important both from an
economic and nutritive point of view to collect grass for hay at the proper stage of
development.
The Ferozepur hay is richest from the chemical and mineral points of view and
proved to be a maintenance ration giving a very high positive daily nitrogen
balance. Jhelum hay was the next best being just a maintenance ration (the
condition which was also met with, in the hays collected from Amballa and Sialkot
experimented upon in previous years), probably due to the fact amongst others that
these hays contained a high proportion of Anjan grass (Cenchrus biflorus).
Data have been obtained to throw light on the quantities of added bran per
day required to bring these grasses upto a maintenance standard for heifers of from
350 to 450 lbs. of weight. Hays of the composition represented by Dalhousie and
Kasauli hays required 1 to 1.5 lbs. of added bran per day to effect this, whereas the
Multan Musel and Janewa hays required somewhat less, namely, 1.00 to 1.25 lbs.
of added bran.
DIGESTIBILITY TRIALS ON INDIAN FEEDING STUFFS
149
Wheat-bhusa varies in composition from year to year and is not usually a
maintenance ration and would require from 1 to 1.5 lbs. of added bran to effect a
maintenance ration for heifers of the weight and description used in these trials.
Acknowledgment is made of the valuable assistance given in this work by
Mr. Akbar Ali, B.Sc. (Agri.), of the Chemical Section, and the Director, Military
Grass Farms, Simla, for kindly providing us with the various grass hays.
REFERENCES.
Lander and Lal Chand Dharmani (1928). Mem. Dept. Agri. India, Chemical Series, 9, 7.
—
(1929). Mem. Dept. Agri. India, Chemical Series, 10, 5.
D 2
150 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ II, II
TABLE I.
A.—Chemical Composition.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Name of the feed.
Jhelum hay
....
Kasauli hay
......
Multan hay (Janewa)
....
Multan hay (Musel)
....
Ferozepur hay
.....
Dalhousie hay
.
.
.
.
.
Wheat-bhusa (1929)
....
Bran fed with Kasauli hay . . .
Bran fed with Dalhousie hay . . .
Bran fed with Multan hays . . .
Bran fed with Wheat-bhusa . .
Moisture.
per cent.
10.15
10.50
5.70
6.60
5.11
6.40
7.60
8.10
8.80
8.30
8.80
Dry matter.
per cent.
89.85
89.50
94.30
93.40
94.89
93.60
92.40
91.90
91.20
91.70
91.20
Ash.
per cent.
8.65
7.84
10.07
10.48
10.97
8.73
9.43
4.78
5.86
4.78
4.76
Fat.
per cent.
1.09
1.56
1.16
0.91
0.99
0.82
0.88
1.72
2.63
2.77
2.85
Fibre.
per cent.
26.39
33.02
36.98
33.97
31.25
36.16
38.94
12.58
10.02
10.24
9.06
Protein.
per cent.
4.63
3.75
2.81
2.94
8.50
3.19
2.19
10.13
13.56
12.81
13.88
Nitrogen
free
extract.
per cent.
48.59
43.33
43.28
45.10
43.18
44.70
40.96
62.69
59.13
61.10
60.65
DIGESTIBILITY TRIALS ON INDIAN FEEDING STUFFS.
151
TABLE I.
B.—Mineral matter in 1,000 lb. of the feed.
Name of the feed
1. Jhelum hay . .
2. Kasauli hay . .
3. Multan hay (Janewa) .
4. Multan hay (Musel) .
5. Ferozepur hay . .
6. Dalhousie hay . .
7. Bran fed with Dal-
housie hay.
8. Bran fed with Multan
hays.
9. Wheat bhusa (1929) .
Phos-
phates
P 2 O 5
3.15
1.84
1.90
2.06
5.29
1.42
22.97
24.15
0.60
Calcium
Ca O
6.05
9.00
5.63
7.73
6.72
7.10
2.73
2.62
3.58
Sodium
STa 2 O
4.09
2.32
2.51
1.68
7.79
1.39
0.35
0.56
1.51
Potas-
sium
K 2 O
14.62
6.16
10.11
10.21
21.60
4.11
10.39
10.86
17.49
Magne-
sium
Mg O
3.37
2.55
1.61
1.72
3.04
1.81
5.98
7.49
1.81
Manga-
nese
Mn3O4
0.26
0.29
0.32
0.31
0.37
0.35
0.55
0.49
0.42
Alumi-
nium
Al 2 O 3
2.95
2.63
1.47
2.44
0.90
3.58
0.79
0.30
1.64
Iron
Fe 2 O 3
1.67
1.26
0.79
1.19
0.66
2.33
0.67
0.16
1.41
Sul-
phates
SC 4
8.01
1.09
4.20
4.04
11.48
0.84
0.42
0.45
4.58
Chlori-
des
CI.
3.59
0.60
2.55
1.49
7.30
0.42
0.21
0.16
...
Insoluble
Residue
39.35
43.99
58.84
63.13
40.71
63.87
8.32
1.64
52.59
152 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ II, II
TABLE II.
Digestibility Factors.
Period.
15th January 1929 to
28th February 1929.
Ditto
Ditto
15th January 1929 to
28th January 1929.
Ditto
Ditto
12th February 1929 to
28th February 1929.
Ditto
Ditto
12th March 1929 to
31st March 1929.
Ditto
No. of heifer
122
128
133
123
124
129
123
124
129
122
128
Average of daily
body weight
lbs.
419
423
341
379
360
389
385
361
380
428
426
Food eaten per day
Jhelum hay
Ditto
Ditto
Kasauli hay
Ditto
Ditto
Kasauli hay .
Bran . .
Kasauli hay .
Bran . .
Kasauli hay .
Bran . .
Multan
hay
(Janewa).
Ditto .
lbs.
8.5
8.0
6.9
6.1
6.6
6.5
5.8
3.0
6.2
2.0
6.5
1.0
5.8
5.5
Digestibility co.efficients
Dry matter
56.27
55.91
56.29
39.57
46.71
51.55
} 53.96
} 50.33
} 55.59
47.17
48.75
Ash
18.92
15.94
20.00
...
7.69
9.80
11.67
8.47
7.14
10.35
7.27
Fat
33.33
33.33
37.50
40.00
40.00
40.00
42.86
46.15
50.00
14.29
16.67
Fibre
64.18
64.18
64.52
53.73
60.09
65.12
56.52
54.79
60.19
60.00
62.07
Protein
35.90
32.43
34.38
8.70
20.00
29.17
50.00
39.54
35.30
6.25
6.25
Nitrogen free
extract
61.02
60.92
60.59
39.40
46.16
51.07
59.23
55.33
53.34
48.20
50.00
Nutrients digested per day
Dry matter
4.30
4.02
3.49
2.16
2.76
3.00
4.29
3.72
3.41
2.58
2.58
Ash
0.14
0.11
0.12
...
0.04
0.05
0.07
0.05
0.04
0.06
0.04
Fat
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.01
0.01
Fibre
1.47
1.38
1.20
1.08
1.31
1.40
1.30
1.26
1.37
1.29
1.26
Protein
0.14
0.12
0.11
0.02
0.05
0.07
0.26
0.17
0.12
0.01
0.01
Nitrogen free
extract
2.52
2.37
2.03
1.04
1.32
1.44
2.60
2.18
1.84
1.21
1.19
DIGESTIBILITY TRIALS ON INDIAN FEEDING STUFFS.
153
Ditto .
15th April 1929 to 30th
April 1929.
Ditto .
Ditto .
12th March 1929 to
31st March 1929.
Ditto .
Ditto .
15th April 1929 to 30th
April 1929.
Ditto . .
Ditto . .
13th May 1929 to 19th
July 1929.
Ditto . .
Ditto . .
13th May 1929 to 3rd
June 1929.
Ditto . .
Ditto . .
21st June 1929 to 19th
July 1929.
133
122
128
133
123
124
129
123
124
129
122
128
133
123
124
129
123
347
412
418
340
402
356
370
399
353
371
465
439
357
393
340
363
396
Ditto .
Multan
hay
(Janewa)
Bran . .
Multan
hay
(Janewa).
Bran . .
Multan
hay
(Jenewa).
Bran .
Multan
hay
(Musel).
Ditto .
Ditto .
Multan
hay
Musel).
Bran . .
Multan
hay
(Musel).
Bran . .
Multan
hay
(Musel).
Bran . .
Ferozepur hay
Ditto
Ditto .
Dalhousie hay
Ditto .
Ditto .
Dalhousie hay .
Bran .
4.9
6.3
2.0 6.1
2.0
5.4
2.0
5.7
5.6
5.4
5.9
1.5
5.7
1.5 5.4
1.5
12.1
9.7
8.3
4.3
3.8
3.5
5.9
2.0
42.85
} 52.64
} 52.77
} 50.58
47.74
45.12
52.38
} 47.02
} 47.90
} 52.50
51.92
52.07
51.52
45.65
48.59
55.49
} 46.45
...
12.33
12.68
9.37
13.33
10.17
28.81
5.80
10.45
10.94
40.60
37.74
37.36
23.69
18.18
32.26
15.63
33.33
46.15
46.16
50.00
10.00
20.00
20.00
44.44
44.44
55.55
33.33
40.00
37.50
25.00
33.33
33.33
40.00
56.90
58.26
58.30
56.55
61.34
59.48
65.77
54.34
54.54
61.11
57.14
59.74
57.14
59.62
62.04
69.30
51.50
—7.14
50.00
48.83
48.78
11.77
11.77
12.50
45.94
44.44
48.56
58.26
57.83
59.15
7.14
8.33
18.18
47.82
44.81
56.96
57.76
54.77
49.42
46.24
52.86
51.12
51.57
56.24
50.29
50.59
49.72
41.67
46.47
52.33
48.43
1.98
4.09
4.00
3.50
2.54
2.36
2.64
3.23
3.20
3.36
5.96
4.79
4.06
1.84
1.73
1.82
3.41
...
0.09
0.09
0.06
0.08
0.06
0.13
0.04
0.07
0.07
0.54
0.40
0.34
0.09
0.06
0.10
0.10
0.02
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.04
0.04
0.05
0.04
0.04
0.03
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.04
1.03
1.48
1.44
1.25
1.19
1.13
1.21
1.19
1.14
1.21
2.16
1.81
1.48
0.93
0.85
0.88
1.20
—0.01
0.22
0.21
0.20
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.17
0.16
0.17
0.60
0.48
0.42
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.22
0.95
2.25
2.23
1.95
1.27
1.17
1.29
1.83
1.80
1.89
2.63
2.12
1.78
0.80
0.79
0.82
1.85
154 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ II, II
TABLE II—contd.
Digestibility Factors—contd.
Period
21st June 1929 to 19th
July 1929.
Ditto . .
5th August 1929 to
14th August 1929.
Ditto . .
Ditto . .
29th August 1929 to
7th September 1929.
Ditto . .
Ditto . .
No. of Heifer
124
129
122
128
133
122
128
133
Average of daily
body weight lbs
lbs.
336
353
469
439
357
452
443
358
Food eaten per day
Dalhousie hay .
Bran . .
Dalhousie hay .
Bran . .
Wheat bhusa .
Ditto .
Ditto .
Wheat bhusa .
Bran . .
Wheat bhusa .
Bran . .
Wheat bhusa .
Bran
.
.
lbs.
5.4
1.5
4.8
1.5
6.4
6.3
5.2
7.5
2.0
6.4
2.0
5.4
2.0
Digestibility co.efficients
Day matter
} 46.57
} 53.58
46.70
52.24
47.19
} 53.15
} 53.69
} 49.05
Ash
19.65
19.61
—5.00
...
—8.17
...
5.71
...
Fat
37.50
50.00
33.33
33.33
40.00
53.83
58.33
45.45
Fibre
52.86
58.73
59.04
65.31
59.11
65.82
64.05
57.45
Protein
45.95
51.42
—14.29
...
—18.18
45.47
50.00
50.00
Nitrogen free
extract
46.97
56.24
50.38
55.04
52.12
59.11
55.88
59.07
Day matter
2.99
3.14
2.76
3.04
2.27
4.65
4.15
3.34
Nutrients digested per day
Ash
0.11
0.10
—0.03
...
—0.04
—0.17
0.04
—0.24
Fat
0.03
0.04
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.07
0.07
0.05
Fibre
1.11
1.11
1.47
1.60
1.20
2.04
1.71
1.31
Protein
0.17
0.18
—0.02
...
—0.02
0.20
0.21
0.20
Nitrogen free
extract
1.55
1.71
1.32
1.42
1.11
2.53
2.14
2.02