Effect of Selenium Supplementation on Growth and Nutrient Utilization in Buffalo Heifers

Twenty buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) heifers of 18–36 months of age (239.0±16.46 kg) were divided into two groups (n=10 per group). Animals in the control (T1) group were fed diet comprising of concentrate mixture (40% maize, 44% mustard cake, 8% wheat bran, 5% arhar chuni, 2% mineral mixture and 1% common salt) and wheat straw ad libitum. Animals in the experimental group (T2) were also fed same basal diet except that they were supplemented with 0.2 ppm selenium (Se) in their concentrate mixture. Experimental feeding lasted for 120 days including a 7 days digestion trial. The intake of DM and digestibility of DM, CP, EE, CF and NFE were similar (P>0.05) between the two groups. While supplementation of Se had no effect on DCP intake, TDN intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T2 group. Average daily gain (ADG) of the buffalo heifers was also significantly (P<0.05) higher in group T2 as compared to the control (T1) group up to 300 kg body weight. However, after 300 kg body weight there was no effect of selenium supplementation on ADG. These results suggest that Se supplementation (0.2 ppm in concentrate mixture) improves the growth performance of buffalo heifers during early stages.