Effect of supplementing bypass fat on the performance of buffalo calves

The experiment was conducted to assess the effect of bypass fat supplementation on growth and nutrient utilization in calves. Female Murrah buffalo calves (15; 6–8 m old of 109.7±7.6 kg BW) divided into three similar groups were fed wheat straw, chaffed green oat fodder and concentrate mixture in 15:35:50 ratio (on DM basis) control, supplemented with commercial bypass fat @ 2.5(T₁) or 4 (T₂) per cent of DMI for 90 days. ADG was higher (P<0.05) in T₁ by 23.90 per cent over that of control. The digestibility of EE were higher (P<0.05) by 9.44 and 11.89%, in T₁ and T₂ groups over that of control while no effect was recorded on the digestibility of other nutrients. Feed conversion ratio was improved (P<0.05) by 20.70 per cent in T₁ group over that of control. Blood cholesterol, triglycerides and NEFA concentrations were also increased (P<0.05) on bypass fat supplementation. It was concluded that supplementation of bypass fat at 2.5% of DMI increased the average daily gain and feed conversion ratio in female buffalo calves. There was no adverse effect of feeding bypass fat on nutrient utilization.