EFFECT OF FEEDING VARIOUS ENERGY LEVELS ON NUTRIENT UTILIZATION AND GROWTH IN MALE BUFFALO CALVES

Eighteen male Murrah buffalo calves were randomly divided into three groups of six animals in each having average BW 190.24 +/- 10.39 kg and 7-12 mo old. First group (control) was fed as per NRC (2001), second and third groups were fed ration containing 10% and 20% higher energy than control. The experiment lasted for 135 days. DM intake (kg/100kg BW) was 2.64, 2.78 and 2.82 in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively and differed significantly between the control and 20% higher energy fed group. CP intake (g/100 kg BW) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in group 3 (286.39) than group 1 (259.27) and 2 (267.15) calves. The mean TDN intake (kg/100 kg BW) was 1.57, 1.66, and 1.74in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Average daily gain was numerically higher in group 2 (777.40 g/d) and group 3 (771.64 g/d) than group 1(759.67 g/d). The FCR was 10.06, 11.36 and 10.98 kg in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The scrotal circumference was 18.90, 19.51 and 19.71cm in respective groups and the differences being non significant. Significantly higher digestibility of DM OM and EE was recorded in group 3 than the group 1. The CP digestibility was higher in group 1 than group 2 and same in case of group 3. Digestibility of NDF, ADF, cellulose, hemicellulose, N intake and N balance did not differ significantly among the groups. It is concluded that the energy requirement described for cattle in NRC (2001) is adequate for buffalo male calves.