author(s)
Avinesh Sharma and Chander Datt

abstract
This study was conducted to examine the effects of supplementation of red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) product in the diet of ruminants on dry matter intake, body weight and feed conversion efficiency in lactating crossbred cows. For conducting this study, 18 lactating crossbred (Karan fries) cows were selected from a herd and divided into 3 treatment groups of 6 animals each based on milk yield, body weight, parity and days in milk. The cows in treatment group T₁ were fed rations as per their nutrient requirements. The cows in treatment groups T₂ and T₃ were fed the similar rations as fed to control treatment group (T₁), however, their rations were supplemented with red seaweed (K. alverazii) based powder (K. alvarezii powder: Gracilaria salicornia powder: K. alvarezii sap powder in 1: 1: 1 ratio) @ 1.5 and 3% of ration (on dry matter basis), respectively. The study lasted for 150 days. The values for dry matter intake, body weight and feed conversion efficiency were not influenced by red seaweed-based feed additive supplementation.