Animal Nutrition Research Station (ANRS) College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388001, Gujarat (India)
*Corresponding author, E-mail: vrpatel_19@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 7 November, 2012.
An experiment with twenty four buffalo heifer calves with an average age of 245±4.80 days and an average weight of 75.21±2.42 kg was conducted to study the effect of feeding of bypass protein on growth and nutrient utilization in field condition with the duration of 24 weeks. The calves were randomly divided in two groups (with 12 calves under each) and fed compound concentrate mixture (20% CP) without Bypass protein (Control group: T1) or with Bypass Protein (Treatment group: T2). The animals were fed 2 kg locally available mixed pasture green grass (Echinocloa colona, Cynadon dactylon, Cassia spp.) and ad lib rice straw. The average daily DM, CP and DCP intakes were significantly higher in treatment group (T2) but TDN intake remained unaffected in both groups. The average daily body weight gain (ADG) over whole experimental period was 398.31±14.49 and 535.71±14.67 g, respectively under T1 and T2 and the treatment differences were highly significant (P<0.01). The digestibility of DM, CP, EE and CF in treatment group (T2) was significantly higher over control group. These results indicated that the feeding of concentrate mixture with Bypass protein in growing buffalo heifers significantly improved the digestibility of the nutrients and growth rate. of these animals.
Buffalo heifer calves, Bypass protein, Growth, Nutrient utilization
