Evaluation of silkworm pupae meal based calf starter diet on the performance of crossbred cattle calves

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the palatability, growth and economics of silkworm pupae meal (SWPM) feeding, replacing fish (FM) in cattle calves. Crossbred calves (15) around one-month age were selected for study divided into three equal groups (n=5) viz., T0 (100% FM), T1 (75% FM: 25% SWPM) T2 (50% 50% SWPM). To estimate parameters fortnightly, a trial 90 days conducted, digestibility 7 at end experiment. results revealed non-significant differences between experimental DMI, OMI, periodical body weight, weight gain, average daily gain (ADG) (g/d), feed conversion ratio (FCR), efficiency (FCE) (%), coefficients dry matter (DM), organic (OM) crude protein (CP). Significant observed fibre (CF), ether extract (EE) nitrogen free (NFE) groups. digestible nutrients intake significant difference only CPI (g/d) with higher values followed by T2, but DDMI, DCPI TDNI. feeding showed decrease cost per kg increased inclusion SWPM. Thus, it is concluded that costly FM can be replaced upto level SWPM without anyadverse effect on intake, nutrient utilization crossbred