Fasting heat production of growing buffalo calves

Fasting heat production (FHP) of growing buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis) in the body weight range of 76 to 236 kg was determined using open circuit respiration chamber. The derails of the chambers, calibration of gas analysers and operation of the systems are described. Animals were fasted for 96 hrs during which only water was provided. FHP was determined during next 24 hrs. The mean oxygen consumed, carbon dioxide and methane produced and urinary N excretion pet 24 h was 17.03 l, 11.70 l, and 0.12 l and 0.35 g respectively. The mean respiratory quotient ranged from 0.68 to 0.71, which indicated that post absorptive stage is reached after 96 hrs in growing buffalo calves previously fed ammoniated straw-based ration. Mean FHP of calves was 331.4 kJ/kg W-0.75. FHP of calves with range of mean body weights of 167 to 235 kg, although nonsignificant but, was almost 12% higher than of calves having mean body weight of 101 kg. Suitable exponent to body weight to describe FHP of buffalo calves was 0.87.