Replacing enzose by corn grains: Impact on nutrients utilization and weight gain in growing buffalo calves

Abstract

The study was planned to investigate the potential of enzose as replacement of corn grains on growth performance of growing calves. Thirty five male buffalo calves of 1 year of age were randomly divided into five groups. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated. Control diet contained no enzose (E0). The enzose replaced 20, 40, 60 and 80% corn grains on energy equivalent basis in E20, E40, E60 and E80 diets, respectively. Animals were fed twice a day at ad libitum and feed intake was recorded daily. Decreasing trend in dry matter (DM) intake by calves fed E0, E20 and E40 diets were noticed. Neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibilities differed significantly in calves fed diets with varying enzose concentration, however, DM and crude protein digestibilities remained unaltered across all diets. Cost of feed per Kg live weight produced was higher in calves fed E0, E20 and E40 diet than those fed E60 and E80 diets; however lower feed conversion ratio was noticed in calves fed E40 than those fed other diets. Ash, minerals, hematology, pre-slaughter weight, dressing percentage, half carcass separable primal cuts, in calves didn’t change and the same was true for lean, fat and bone proportions of these respective cuts. The findings of the study indicate that enzose can be used as substitute of corn grain without any ill effects on growth performance.