Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Growth Performance of Pre-Ruminant Buffalo Calves

To study the effect of Probiotic (Saccharomyces cervisiae) supplementation in pre-ruminant (0–3 months age) buffalo calves, twenty buffalo calves were divided into two groups of ten calves each according to their body weight. One group was the control while the other group was supplemented with bacteria Saccharomyces cervisiae -containing Probiotic @ 15g/calf/d in milk for a period of two months under field condition. Fortnightly growth rate of calves revealed that the effect of Saccharomyces cervisiae was more effective (P<0.01) during first month of supplementation but could not sustain in the second month. Never the less, probiotic supplementation led to an overall improvement (P<0.05) in the growth rate of buffalo calves. It also helped in preventing occurrence of diarrhea and reduced mortality during early stage of life.