Division of Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122, India
*Present Address: Buffalo Nutrition Division, Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar-125 001, India.
Online published on 21 January, 2012.
The maintenance need of adult buffalo was studied at 96.54, 82.39 and 61.55% levels of DCP and 100% TDN requirement levels suggested for cattle by preparing three concentrate mixtures supplying 21.40, 18.02 and l4.45% CP in rations l, 2 and 3 respectively. Limited quantity of green lowar (Sorghum vulgare) fodder and ad lib wheat bhoosa served as the roughage source. The feeding was continued for 11 months and a metabolism trial was conducted. Non-significant differences were observed in DM intake and digestibility of nutrients. N-balanccs were positive in each case being +15.47±1.72, + 12.80±2.37 and + 11.67±1.28 g/head/day. The results indicated that DCP requirement for maintenance of buffaloes was much lower than that recommended for cattle.
