Indian Journal of Dairy Science

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012, VOL. 65, No. 6

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LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Effect of roof modifications in loose house on intake and utilization of nutrients and milk yield in lactating crossbred cows during winter season
 

L.S. Shekhawat and J.L. Chaudhary
Twenty lactating crossbred cows (½ Holstein Friesian x ½ Tharparker) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each and they were reared under four housing conditions viz; (T1) loose house, (T2) loose house (LH) + mud plaster roof house, (T3) LH+thatch roof house and (T4) conventional barn. The maximum ambient temperature in T1, T2, T3 and T4 shed was 23.96±0.38, 22.80±0.33, 23.07±0.23 and 23.17±0.23 °C respectively. The maximum temperature, was significantly low (P<0.01) in T2, T3 and T4 shed as compared to T1 shed. While relative humidity (RH) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T4 as compared to T2 & T3. However, there was no significant (P>0.05) differences were observed between T4 and T1 and T2 and T3 house, respectively. While Temperature Humidity Index (THI) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T4 as compared to T3, T2 and T1 houses. The daily intake of DM, DCP, TDN and water intake was significantly influenced (P<0.01) by shelter management. The daily DMI was more (P<0.01) in T2 (12.31 kg) and T3 (12.02 kg) groups as compared to T1 (11.46 kg) and T4 (10.94 kg) groups cows, respectively. The DCP intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T2 (857.27 g) as compared to T3 (793.19 g), T4 (721.58g) and T1 (717.15 g) group cows. The TDN intake was 6.41±0.016, 7.31±0.10, 6.94±0.22 and 5.94±0.15 kg in T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The daily TDN intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T2 and T3 groups as compared to T4 and T1 groups cows. The voluntary water intake (VWI) per kg DMI (L) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T1 group as compared to T2 and T4 groups animal. There was no significant difference was observed between T1 and T3 groups animal. The digestibility of CP (68.56%) in T2 and T4 (69.82%) group significantly (P<0.05) higher as compared to T1 and T3 groups animal. The milk yield was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T2 group than T3, T4 and T1 groups animal. It was concluded that the provision of mud plaster roof house improved the intake and utilization of nutrients in lactating crossbred cows.