EFFECT OF MODE OF UREA SUPPLEMENTATION ON NUTRIENT UTILIZATION FROM STRAW-BASED DIET BY BUFFALO CALVES

Studies were conducted on 16 growing male buffalo calves in 4 groups of 4 each (average body weight 228 kg) to determine the effect of mode of urea supplementation Dn nutrient utilization from straw-based diet. Animals in control group were given conventional concentrate mixture with wheat straw as basal roughage. In 3 experimental groups 30% of the protein requirement were met through urea fed either mixed with concentrate mixture (group 2) or wheat straw (group 3) or as urea-ammonia-treated straw (group 4). Urea supplementation in either mode did not improve the dry-matter intake and digestibility of DM, EE, NFE and TCHO. Urea-NH3 treatment of straw did improve the digestibility (P<0.05) of various fractions of structural carbohydrates. Though CP digestibility was low in group 4 the retention of N was to be found more (P<0.05) in this group. Efficiency of N utilization in this group improved due to higher intake of ME (P<0.05) which consequently resulted in better growth performance.