PRESENT SCENARIO OF USING FEED ADDITIVES AND FEED SUPPLEMENT DURING CATTLE FATTENING IN DHAKA DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out the relationship among different aspects of cattle fattening and use of anabolic steroids and feed additives. The data were collected through an interview schedule from 65 respondents of 4 upazila/ thana of Dhaka city who were involved in cattle fattening. Parameters were studied in relation to socio- economic conditions of farmers and use of anabolic steroids and feed additives and their effects on animals and environment. In this study 80.0% farmers' were involved in others occupation, followed by 17.0% in livestock business. About 65.0% respondents had higher education, 20.0% had higher secondary education, 12.0% obtained secondary education and the rest of them were primary education. Irrespective of literacy only 6.0% of the farmer had training. Results showed that about 58% respondents used anabolic steroids for the duration of 3 to 6 months long cattle fattening (P<0.001) program. The chi-square (11.093) value of annual income indicates that with increase of annual income and use of anabolic steroids have decreased. The significant (P<0.01) association was observed in case of anabolic steroids and source of money, annual income, number of cattle fattening, breeds, fattening period, starting and finishing age. About 78% respondents used feed additives for cattle fattening from own resources (P<0.001) and most of cattle fattened for 3 to 6 months (P<0.01). The result demonstrated that respondents of low annual income used more anabolic steroid and feed additives as a growth promoter for cattle fattening and they prefer in powder form.