THE RESPONSE OF N'DAMA X BUNAJI CROSSBRED CALVES TO CREEP FEEDING AND THE ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION

Abstract

A 140-day experiment was conducted to assess the effect of creep feeding on the performance of Naima X Bunia crossbred calves and the economics of the feeding strategy. Fourteen 3-4'1, months old calves and weighing 52-59kg were randomly assigned to two treatments. The creep fed contained 50% cottonseed cake, 40% maize offal and 10% molasses. The creep feed calves had significantly (P<0.05)
higher weaning weight (144.57+0.09 versus lW.75+5.74kg) and daily weight gain (0.61+0.05 versus 0.44+0.02kg) than the control. In both groups, male calves were significantly (P<0.05) heavier than the females from 28-140 days of the experiment. The rather sponsor to creep feeding was 34% representing 80% gross margin over creep feed consumed. It was concluded that creep feeding of Naima X Bunia crossbred calves should be encouraged and that the feeding strategy is economical.