Effect of Inclusion of Different Protein Sources in the Diet on Nutrient Utilisation and Growth Performance of Murrah Buffalo Heifers

The effect of using different protein sources in the diet on growth, feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility, physiological parameters and body measurements in buffalo heifers was studied. Twenty Murrah buffalo heifers of 13 to 14 months age (153±6.41 kg body weight) were divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each on the basis of body weight and age. The heifers of treatment groups T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ were fed mustard cake, groundnut cake, cotton seed cake and soybean meal based concentrate mixtures, respectively. All the concentrate mixtures were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Concentrate mixture, green fodder and wheat straw were fed to animals as per their requirements. The feed intake, digestibility of nutrients, intakes of DCP and TDN, average daily gain, body measurements and physiological parameters were not affected by source of protein in the diet and thus costlier protein sources could be replaced by cheaper protein sources.