Abstract

CARABALLO, Alfredo et al. Supplementation of Crossbred Young Heifers with Panicum maximum Hay and a Feed Mix Ofbroiler Litter, Corn Meal, Wheat Bran and Minerals. Rev. Cient. (Maracaibo) [online]. 2006, vol.16, n.3, pp.257-263. ISSN 0798-2259.

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation during dry season on the average daily gain (ADG) of 24 crossbred young heifers, from Perijá region, with approximated initial weight of 220 Kg, distributed in 3 groups: T1 (2.5 kg/100 Kg LW of supplement + Panicum maximum Jacq. hay ad libitum); T2 (1.5 kg/100 Kg LW of supplement + Panicum maximum Jacq. hay ad libitum) and T3 (Guinean hay ad libitum). The nutritional mixture was conformed by broiler litter (40%), corn meal (40%), wheat bran (18%) and salt - minerals (2%). The experiment was carried on during 188 days (14 days to get used to the consumption of mixture, 78 days of confinement and than 96 days of grazing in same conditions with out supplementation. It was made ANOVA for each variable and the differences between treatments were analyzed by Tukey. There was a significant difference (P < 0.01), between treatments during confinement: 615 g/animal/day (T₁), 289 g/animal/day (T₂) and -80 g/animal/day (T₃). On the grazing period there was significant difference (P < 0.05), for ADG between treatments. There were differences between T₁ (228 g/animal/day) and T₃ (357 g/animal/day), but not between T₂ (290 g/animal/day) and T₃. For total weight gain during the experiment, T₁ was superior (P < 0,01) from other treatments (69,9 Kg of total weight gain) vs. 50,4 Kg (T₂) and 28,0 Kg (T₃).

Keywords : Panicum maximum; hay; supplementation; young heifers; broiler litter.