Effect of Different Calcium Supplements on Utilization of Nutrients and Blood Parameters in Buffaloes

Four adult male buffaloes (3S5.7±6.3 kg) were used in a switch over 4x4 latin square design to study the effect of three different calcium supplements on utilisation of nutrients and blood parameters. Animals were fed on isocaloric and isonitrogenous ration of wheat straw and a concentrate mixture. Group T₁ served as control and the experimental groups T₂, T₃, and T₄ received about 8 g calcium/animal/day from bone meal, dicalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate, respectively. The ration of experimental groups was made to contain an equal amount of phosphorus by including diammonium phosphate to maintain similar calcium: phosphorus ratio (1:1). Supplementation of these sources did not affect on digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen retention and plane of nutrition. Similarly, serum calcium, plasma inorganic phosphorus level and alkaline phosphatase activity were similar irrespective of calcium supplement.