Nutrient Utilization in Buffaloes Fed Urea and Bleaching Powder Treated Straw Based Mash and Densified Feed Blocks

Twelve Murrah buffaloes (about 2 y and 237.7±0.8 kg B. wt) were divided In 3 groups. They were fed complete diets based on urea (4%) treated straw (T₁), 2% bleaching powder + 1% sodium hydroxide treated straw (T₂) or densified straw of complete feed of T₂ (T₃), respectively. Treated straw to concentrate ratio was 73:27. Voluntary feed Intake was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T₁ (92.6 g/W^0.75kg) than T₂ (84.8 g/W^0.75kg) and T (7I.3g/w^0.75kg). Water intake was 5.9 litre/kg DM intake in all the groups. Digestibility of DM was significantly (P<0.01) hieher In T₁ (60.0%) than T₂ (51.6%) and T₃ (55.1 %) but that of OM was similar in three groups. Digestibility of CF and NFE was significantly higher (P<0.01) in T₁, whereas CP digestibility was lowest in this group and highest in T₃. N balance (g/wk) was comparable in T₁ and T₂ but significantly (P<0.05) hieher in T₃. TDN intake In T₂ (2.47 kg/d) and T₃ (2.15 kg/d) was sufficient for maintenance but in T₁ (3.18 kg/d) it was significantly (P<0.01) higher.