Effect of Diammonium Phosphate on Water Metabolism in Lactating Murrah Buffaloes

A study was conducted to determine the water requirement of lactating Murrah buffaloes fed different levels of diammonium phosphate. Eighteen lactating Murrah buffaloes (551.5±14.6 kg BW) of nearly same milk yield, parity and stage of lactation were divided into three equal groups and fed 0, 50 and 100% diammonium phosphate in the mineral mixture of concentrates. The chaffed mixed roughage (berseem +wheat straw) was offered ad lib. Tap water was provided ad lib. A metabolism trial of seven days was conducted at the end of experiment. Diammonium phosphate did not affect the dry matter intake, water intake and milk yield. The average water intake from all sources and in all groups was 78.5 liter, which comes to 5.77 litre/kg dry matter intake at temperature 27.9–38.31°C. It was concluded that different levels of diammonium phosphate did not have any significant impact on milk production and water requirement.