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Effects of restricted water on feed intake, nutrient utilization and nitrogen metabolism in Zebu cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

U. J. Ikhatua ,
O. W. Ehoche  and
J. E. Umoh
U. J. Ikhatua
Affiliation:
National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, P. M. B. 1096, Zaria, Nigeria
O. W. Ehoche
Affiliation:
National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, P. M. B. 1096, Zaria, Nigeria
J. E. Umoh
Affiliation:
National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, P. M. B. 1096, Zaria, Nigeria
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Summary

Eighteen growing cattle with a mean live weight of 180 kg were used to study the influence of restricted water on feed intake, nutrient utilization and nitrogen metabolism in Zebu cattle in the Sudano–Sahelian ecological zone of Nigeria.

Feed intake and water consumption were negatively correlated (r = 0·63). As the amount of water intake was reduced from 15·8 to 11·91/day, the mean feed intake increased from 5·6 to 6·8 kg D.M./day; water to feed ratios decreased from 2·83 to 1·75 and average daily live-weight gain as well as apparent feed utilization efficiency improved significantly from free-choice water to 50% of free-choice water treatments respectively.

Apparent digestibility coefficients of almost all the nutrients from the 75 and 50% of free-choice water treatments indicated progressively higher (though not significant) values than those of the free-choice water treatment. Nitrogen metabolism did not indicate any difference in the nitrogen intake in any of the three treatments; however, nitrogen balance and nitrogen retained as a percentage of nitrogen intake were significantly (P < 0·05) higher on the 50% of free-choice water treatment.

The survival ability of these Zebu breeds of cattle under water stress during the acute water scarcity of the protracted dry period of the Sudan–Sahelian zone of Nigeria could probably be attributed to increased recycling of nitrogen as well as a reduction in nitrogen loss during the period.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 105 , Issue 2 , October 1985 , pp. 463 - 467
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985

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