Growth of buffalo calves fed grainless ration

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of feeding grainless diets on the performance of buffalo calves. Male Murrah buffalo calves (24; 6–9 m old of 92.7 kg BW) divided into 4 similar groups were offered either conventional concentrate mixture containing 45% maize (C) or maize in C was replaced by rice polish (T₁) wheat bran (T₃) or deoiled rice polish (T₃) for 120 days. Wheat straw was fed ad lib. There was no effect on the blood biochemical characteristics and the values were within the normal range except serum glucose and SGPT. Serum glucose was higher (P<0.05) in T₃ and (P<0.05) SGPT values were higher (P<0.05) in all grainless concentrate fed group. The daily gain in BW was comparable in all the groups except T₃ where it was depresred (P<0.05). It was concluded that buffalo calve could be raised on grainless diet containing rice polish or wheat bran replacing maize grains.