EFFECT OF PROTECTED METHIONINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING BUFFALO CALVES

Abstract

Fifteen male buffalo calves with an average of initial live body weight ranged between 250 and 267 kg were used to study the effect of rumen-protected methionine (RPM) supplementation on growth performance, nutrients digestibility and some ruminal parameters of growing male buffalo calves. Calves were randomly assigned into three nutritional groups (each of five animals) to receive one of the following experimental rations: the first group served as a control (T1) which received the basal ration (without methionine supplementation); (T2) received the basal ration (T1) and was supplemented with 15 g RPM /h /d; and (T3) received the basal ration (T1) plus 25 g RPM /h /d. Results obtained indicated that different experimental rations had in general almost similar chemical composition. Adding RPM to basal ration of buffalo calves, led to significant improvement (P 0.05) in different ruminal parameters, due to RPM supplement to the basal ration, while time of sampling indicated significant differences (P<0.05) for pH, NH3-N and TVFA's values at different times. Data obtained pointed out also to positive insignificant impact of RPM supplementation on accelerating calves daily gain and FCR. Efficiencyof feed utilization (FCR) was highest in T3 followed by T2in compare with T1, however, differences were statistically non-significant (P<0.05).