Division of Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar - 243 122, India
Online published on 5 January, 2012.
An experiment was conducted on IS male buffalo calves of 12-15 months of age, divided into 3 groups of 5 calves in each. Al! the calves were fed on ammooniated wheat straw. Calves in group I were fed as per Kearl1, while those in groups II and III were fed 15 % less CP than the requirement. To do so, Hie concentrate mixture of the calves in group II and III were Saving formaldehyde treated or untreated mustard cake, respectively equivalent to the UDP value of the mustard cake added In concentrate mixture of group I. This feeding practice continued for a period of 120 d during which fortnightly body weights were recorded and a metabolism trial conducted. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in the digestibility of nutrient in the 3 groups except that of CP and crude fibre, which were significantly higher (P<0.01) in group II as compared to other groups. Nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balances were positive and did not differ significantly in the 3 groups. Retention of N as % of intake or absorbed was higher Sn group II and III as compared to group I. Average growth rate (g/day) was 433.8, 439.4 and 381.2 in the 3 groups, respectively, which was statistically alike, inspite of providing 15% less crude protein to calves of group III. This emphasises the importance of little amount of bypass protein in the diet of growing buffalo calves fed ammoniated wheat straw.
