Growth of nine month old male buffalo calves as affected by different crude protein and energy concentrations

Abstract

The current study was planned to examine the response of altered dietary protein and energy concentrations on nutrients utilization, nitrogen metabolism and weight gain in growing male
Nili Ravi buffalo calves to know optimum protein and energy requirements in comparison with those documented by Nutrient Requirement for Cattle (NRC) for calves. Thirty six calves of 6-7 month of age weighing 70±08kg were divided into 6 groups, six animals in each group, according to 3x2 factorial arrangements of treatments. Six experimental diets were formulated containing three levels of crude protein (CP; 11.85, 14.20 & 16.50%) each with two levels of metabolizable energy (ME;1.86 & 2.23 Mcal/Kg). The animals were fed individually at ad libitum for 100 days; first 10 days were dietary adaptation period while last ten days of each of the remaining month served as collection period. Daily feed consumption in calves fed all the experimental diets remained unaltered. However, the intake of fiber fractions was significant (p<0.05) among treatment groups. The digestibility of dry matter (DM) was significant (p<0.05) while neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and CP digestibilities were similar among treatment groups. However, the intake of DM, CP, ME and fiber fractions indicated significant (p<0.05) difference among treatment means with respect to protein levels. While the intake of ME and fiber fractions were significant (p<0.05) with respect of ME levels of the diets. Similarly, digestibilities of DM and fiber fraction also showed significant (p<0.05) difference among treatment means. Weight gain, and feed conversion efficiency of buffalo calves did not show any treatment effect. The findings of the present study suggested 14.20% and 2.24 Mcal/kg ME as optimum CP and energy requirements for growing male buffalo calves with less than one year of age.