*Department of Veterinary Physiology
**Directorate of Research.
Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar125004, India
Online published on 5 January, 2012.
Fourteen growing male Murrah buffalo calves (12 m; 108-130 kg) were divided in two equal groups and fed with groundnut cake (GNC, Group I) and cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) meal (CBM, Group II) alongwith wheat straw in the ratio of 50 : SO on ME basis for a period of 718 d. Growth and utilization of nutrients were estimated in two phases in addition to analysis of blood for T4 (Thyroxine) and T3 (Triiodothyronine).
DM, DCP and ME intake were similar in both the dietary treatments. Significantly (P < 0.01) higher body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were recorded in calves fed CBM than those fed GNC. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher digestibility of DM, CF and NFE was recorded in CBM fed calves as compared to those fed GNC. NEm, NEg, gross energy metabolizability and efficiency of ME utilization were also significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Group II than in Group I.
Mean serum concentrations of T1 and T3 varied between 37 to 55 ng/ml and 0.5 to 1.1 ng/ml, respectively. The values for T4 and total thyroid hormone concentration were significantly higher in Group II as compared to Group I. Mean values within treatment Group II did not differ due to period. The results indicated that CBM was a better protein and energy supplement than GNC and could be fed to provide upto 50 per cent of ME of complete feed for growing buffalo calves.
