Rice is the second major cereal crop cultivated in Pakistan. The rice crop‘s residual parts, i.e. straw and husk are used as an animal feed. To enhance the nutritive value and digestibility of these residues different treatments are used, including Physical, Chemical and Biological treatments to enhance animal performance. In the present study, the effect of Physical, Chemical and Biological treatment of rice husk was observed on the serum mineral profile which is also an indicator of an animal’s performance.
Thirty six adult sheep were divided into six groups. Negative control group 1, positive control 2, physically treated group 3 acid treated rice feeding group 4, alkali treated rice husk group 5, and biologically fermented rice husk group 6. Each group received 20% treated rice husk along with the routine ration. Blood was collected at day 60 and serum was separated, which was analyzed for minerals by using atomic absorption specrophotometrery and flame photometry.
Data was analyzed using SPSS software. One-way ANOVA was applied on data to observe among the group difference while group differences were compared by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05.
The results revealed that serum level of zinc was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in group 6 compared to group 4 and 1 but similar to group 2 and other treatment groups (figure 1). However, we found a tendency towards significance (p=0.056) in serum calcium level, which was higher in group 5 compared to other treatment groups and group 1 but was found similar to group 2. The serum sodium level also showed a trend towards significance (p=0.072) in group 2, 3 and 5 compared to group 6. Serum iron and potassium level were found non-significant (p<0.05) in all treatments groups compared to group 1 and 2. Blood hemoglobin level was found significantly higher (P=0.013) in control positive group compared to control negative group, 3, 4, 5and was similar to group 6. The platelet count was found in a tendency towards significance (P=0.062), higher in all treatment groups compared to the negative control group. The hematological parameters, i.e. RBC, WBC, MCV, MCH, and MCHC were found non-significant (p< 0.05) in both the control groups and all treatment groups.
Concluding the above discussion, we suggest that fermented rice husk feeding may have better effect on the animal n terms of increase in minerals retention and hemoglobin level in the blood which will cause an increase in the metabolic activities and hence growth of the animal.