The objectives of this experiment were compare feed intake, nutrients digestibility and growth performance of the cattle when feed by four dietary treatments (Rice straw, RST; Ureatreated rice straw, UTR; Lime-treated rice straw, LTR and Urea and lime-treated rice straw, ULTR). The experiment was carried out at department of Livestock and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos. Sixteen native cattle of about 138 ± 24 kg of body weight according to randomized completely block design, RCBD. All of animal were feed ad libitum of dietary treatments and supplement with concentrate feed 14% CP; 750 g/h/d. The result shown that metabolic intake of RST and UTR not differed significantly, but both of them differed significantly with LTR and ULTR (75.55; 74.93; 52.79 and 55.41 g/d respectively). However, dry meter digestibility of ULTR was highest differed significantly with RST, UTR and LTR (63.29; 61.35; 56.27 and 55.67% respectively). An average daily gain of UTR not differed significantly with RST but significant different with ULTR and LTR (0.24; 0.20; 0.18 and 0.05 kg/d respectively).
Fulltext