Effect of Wheat Straw Based Complete Diets on Feed Intake and Nutrient Utilization in Buffaloes

Nine Murrah buffalo heifers (250–389 kg), were divided into three groups of three animals each and provided three complete diets containing 50, 60, 70% ammonfated wheat straw and 37, 27, 17% deoiled rice bran, respectively. Molasses, mineral mixture and common salt were added @ 10, 2 and 1% in all the diets. Vitablend was incorporated @ 25g/q ration to ensure the supply of vitamin A. A metabolism trial was conducted after four weeks feeding. The chemical composition of all the diets was almost similar, CI* ranged between 9.41 to 11.59%. Lower (P<0.05) DM intake was observed in group III as compared to group I and II. Digestibilty coefficients of EE, ADF and NDF were lower (P<0.01) in group III than in group I. Balances of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were positive and did not vary among the groups.