PERFORMANCE OF CROSSBRED HEIFERS DURING REVIVAL PERIOD AFTER LONG-TERM SCARCITY FEEDING

Growth performance of five crossbred heifers, which were earlier kept solely on. urea molasses liquid diet (UMLD) for a period of 300 days w as studied during revival period of six months, when these and the con temporary control group heifers were fed wheat straw and concentrate m ixture as per their requirements (NRC, 1989). Nutrient intake (g/100 k g body weight) and body weight gain (476.6 g/d) in experimental group were higher (P<0.01) during the revival period than that of group. I. However, nutrients digestibility and balances of N, Ca, and P did not vary significantly between the two groups. Similarly, the plasma conce ntration of T-3 and T-4 was alike in both the groups in all the period s. Their genitalia were normal and all the animals showed oestrous sym ptoms. It can, be concluded that revival feeding improves the nutrient intake and body weight gain of heifers.