Effect of Feeding Different Levels of Protein on Nutrient Utilization and Growth in Male Buffalo Calves

Eleven locally available non-deseript male buffalo calves of about 11 months of age were divided into two groups. Group 1 contained five animals and there were six animals in group 2. Two rations consisting of common ration ingredients were prepared. The levels of digestible crude protein were 10U and 81) percent and that or energy (DE) 100 percent of NRC^1’2 Little green and ad lib wheat straw was offered to all the calves. Ninety days feeding trial was followed by a metabolism trial. Digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter crude protein, crude fibre, nitrogen free extract and total carbohydrate in different groups were not significantly different except the digestibility of ether extract. The actual intake of digestible crude protein worked out to 103.00±5.46 and 84.42±3.61 and digestible energy 91.83±0.94 and 104.07±5.16 percent of NRCH^1,2 in groups 1 and 2. There was significant difference (P<0 05) in the DCP intake between the two groups but the difference In DE consumption was not statistically significant. Growth rate and feed conversion efficiency ratios were not significantly different from each other.