Performance Of Buffalo Calves Research Articles

Impact of restricted followed by compensatory feeding on the performance of buffalo calves

Impact of restricted followed by compensatory feeding on the performance of buffalo calves

Effect of clay minerals supplementation on nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and performance of buffalo calves

Effect of clay minerals supplementation on nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and performance of buffalo calves

Preparation of paddy straw based complete feed pellets and their impact on the performance of buffalo calves

This study was planned to prepare paddy straw based complete feed pellets and to assess their impact on the performance of buffalo calves. Iso-nitrogenous and isocaloric complete feed pellets containing 25, 35 and 45% paddy straw, alfalfa hay and concentrate mixtures were prepared. The roughage to concentrate ratio in the pellets was maintained at 65:35. The CP, EE and cell wall contents in all pellets were comparable. The bulk density of complete feed pellets increased (p<0.05) with the increase in paddy straw level. The in vitro studies revealed that NGP, true OM digestibility and ME content decreased linearly with the increase in paddy straw level from 25 to 45% in the pellets. The 104 days growth trial on buffalo calves revealed that the daily DM intake, digestibility of most of nutrients and N-retention decreased (P<0.05) linearly with the increase in level of paddy straw in buffalo calves fed complete feed pellets. The rumen studies revealed that total VFAs, acetate, propionate and isovalerate production; and microbial biomass synthesis was the highest in calves fed pellets containing 35% paddy straw, statistically comparable with those fed pellets containing 25% paddy straw. But these parameters were depressed (P<0.05) in animals fed pellets containing 45% paddy straw. It can be concluded that isonitrogenous and iso-caloric complete feed pellets containing paddy straw up to 35% can be utilized effectively without affecting the health and performance of buffalo calves.

Effect of dietary supplementation with Yucca schidigera powder on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, ruminal enzyme activities and growth performance of buffalo calves

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Yucca schidigera powder (YSP) on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, rumen enzyme activity, and growth performance of growing buffalo calves. A total of 15 buffalo calves aged approximately 8–10 months with 167 ± 3.5 kg average body weight were randomly assigned to three treatments with five calves/treatment. The dietary treatments consisted of the basal diet as control and YSP groups receiving either 1 g (T1) or 2 g (T2) YSP/ kg dry matter (DM) in the concentrate mixture. The results revealed that the digestibility of DM, ether extract (EE), and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) were significantly (P < 0.05) improved, whereas the digestibility of crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and cellulose were decreased (P < 0.05) with addition of YSP powder. Dietary supplementation with YSP affects (P < 0.05) rumen fermentation in terms of reducing ruminal ammonia-N, total volatile fatty acids, the molar proportion of acetate, ruminal enzyme activity and the total protozoa counts. In addition, supplemental YSP, particularly 2 g/kg DM, increased significantly (P < 0.05) the daily dry matter intake of feed, daily weight gain, blood glucose, and albumin levels. It can be concluded that YSP is one of the most effective ways to improve rumen fermentation, growth performance, and mitigation of ammonia and methane in livestock production.

Effect of molasses based multi-nutrient herbal supplements on the performance of buffalo calves

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of molasses based multi-nutrient herbal supplements (MMS) containing ground fenugreek seed and de-oiled mahua seed cake at two different ratios (1:1; MMS-I and 1:3; MMS-II) on growth performance, nutrient utilization and immune response of male buffalo calves. Fifteen male Murrah buffalo calves (10 to 15 months of age and mean body wt. 234–236 kg) were randomly distributed into 3 groups of 5 each. All animals were supplied with conventional concentrate mixture, green forages (3–4 kg DM/d) and wheat straw ad lib. to meet out nutrient requirement. Animals in control group were not fed supplement but animals in group T1 and T2 were fed MMS-I and MMS-II, respectively @ 200 g/100 kg metabolic body weight (kg W0.75). The intake and digestibility of DM, OM, EE, NDF, ADF, hemicelluloses, cellulose and purine derivatives in urine were comparable among 3 groups. Digestibility of crude protein (CP) was higher in supplemented groups (T1 and T2) than control. Total dry matter intake, body weight gain, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during 270 days were comparable among 3 groups. Both cellular and humoral immune response improved in T1 and T2 groups. The results revealed that molasses based multi-nutrient herbal supplement containing fenugreek and DMSC improved the growth performance, nutrient utilization and immune responses.

Effect of supplementing total mixed ration with ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) oil on the performance of buffalo calves

This study was taken up to assess the impact of different levels of ajwain oil (rich in essential oils) on the nutrient utilization by in vitro gas production technique. The best level of ajwain oil obtained was tested on the performance of buffalo calves. Ajwain oil was supplemented at 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2% of total mixed ration (TMR; concentrate:green fodder:wheat straw in 40:48:12 ratio on DM basis). The results revealed that supplementation of incremental levels of ajwain oil to the TMR resulted in linear decrease in net gas production (NGP), digestibility of true OM and NDF; ME availability and methane production. Supplementing the TMR with ajwain oil beyond 0.05% resulted in significant depression in total and individual volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and acetate to propionate ratio. The protozoa numbers declined linearly with increase in level of ajwain oil supplementation. Hence 0.05% level of ajwain oil was selected for assessing its impact on performance of growing buffalo calves. In the first experiment, a 146-day feeding trial was conducted on 20 male buffalo calves divided into 2 groups, offered a TMR-1 (concentrate: green fodder: wheat straw ratio of 40:48:12 on DM basis) or TMR-1 supplemented with 0.05% ajwain oil. After completion of this trial, another 138-day feeding trial was conducted on 18 male buffalo calves divided into 2 groups and were offered a TMR-2 (concentrate: wheat straw ratio of 50:50 on DM basis) or TMR-2 supplemented with 0.05% ajwain oil. In the first growth trial, supplementing the control diet with ajwain oil did not show any impact on daily DM intake, digestibility of nutrients and N-retention, but in the second experiment the digestibility of all the nutrients, except that of crude protein was improved significantly in the ajwain oil supplemented group. The daily DM intake and N-retention was comparable in both the groups. The blood profile, urinary purine derivatives excretion and microbial biomass synthesis was not affected by ajwain oil supplementation during both the experiments. The average daily gain was comparable between control and ajwain oil supplemented group in both the feeding trials. It was concluded that supplementing ajwain oil to the TMR suppressed the in vitro methane production; improved the digestibility of nutrients in wheat straw based TMR supplemented with 0.05% ajwain oil, but did not show any significant beneficial effect on the performance of buffalo calves.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Rumen Modifier and Sodium Sulphate on Methane Production and Performance of Buffalo Calves

The effect of feeding a rumen modifier [mixture of neem seed cake (Azadirachta indica), mahua seed cake (Madhuca longifolia), fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare), harad (Terminalia chebula), fruit pulp of bahera (Terminalia bellerica), amla (Phyllanthus emblica) and ajwain seed (Trachyspermum ammi) in 2:2:2:1:1:1:1 proportion, RM -7] along with sodium sulphate on methane production, nutrient utilization, immune status, metabolic profile and performance of buffalo calves was studied. Twenty one buffalo calves divided into three groups were assigned to three treatments, basal diet (control, T1), basal diet supplemented with RM-7 and sodium sulphate at the rate of 2.0 and 0.06% of dry matter intake (DMI) (T2) and basal diet supplemented with RM-7 and sodium sulphate at the rate of 4.0 and 0.06% of DMI (T3) for a period of 120 days. The diet was comprised of concentrate and roughage in 50:50 ratio. There was no difference (P>0.05) in daily dry matter intake, nutrients digestibility, body weight gain and nitrogen metabolism. The methane production (l/kg digested dry matter intake) was reduced (P<0.05) by 14.9 and 9.6 per cent in T2 and T3 groups as compared to control and resulted in 11.08 per cent less gross energy loss in the form of methane. Humoral and cell mediated immune response showed a significant (P<0.05) improvement in both the treatment groups. The values for haemato–biochemical parameters were similar in all the three groups. It is concluded that the rumen modifier (RM-7) along with sodium sulphate can be used as a feed additive to reduce methane production and improve immune status without affecting animal performance.

Effect of Pre-partum Strategic Supplementation of Concentrates on Colostrum Quality and Performance of Buffalo Calves

Strategic concentrate mixture supplementation during pre-partum period was studied on 24 pregnant buffaloes (10–12 weeks before calving), randomly divided into two equal groups viz., control and treatment, to ascertain the effect on birth weight of calves, colostrum yield and quality, blood-biochemical profile, immune status and growth performance of calves. The pregnant buffaloes in control group, were fed as per farmers’ practice (0.5–1.0 kg concentrate), while in treatment group specially formulated concentrate mixture was provided at 2.0–2.5 kg per day along with the basal diet ad libitum wheat straw. Strategic supplementation of concentrate mixture in treatment group significantly (P<0.05) improved total DM intake as compared to control. Colostrum yield was significantly (P<0.01) higher in treatment group and the chemical composition of colostrum was improved (P<0.01) as compared to control. Total immunoglobulins (Ig), IgG and IgM in colostrum and calf serum were significantly (P<0.05) higher in treatment group relative to control. The birth weight and average daily gain of calves up to 120 days of age were significantly (P<0.01) higher in treatment group. It may be concluded that the strategic supplementation of 2.0–2.5 kg of concentrate mixture to pre-partum buffaloes significantly improved the performance of dam as well as birth weight, immune status and growth performance of buffalo calves.

Physiological responses and performance of Nili-Ravi buffalo calves under different washing frequency during hot summer months in tropics

The effect of washing frequency on the physiological responses and performance of buffalo calves was studied in hot summer. Thirty Nili-Ravi calves aged 4-6months were divided into three uniform groups of ten. The calves of group A, B and C were washed two (9a.m. and 3p.m.), three (8a.m., 12noon and 4p.m.) and four (8a.m., 11a.m., 2p.m. and 5p.m.) times in a day, respectively. They were washed with water for 5min at a stretch. The mean linear body measurements, body weight, dry matter intake through concentrate, green fodder and physiological responses, i.e. rectal temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate before and after washing under different daily washing frequency were recorded fortnightly. The average daily gain was also calculated. The mean total dry matter intake was increased with the increase frequency of washing. The maximum mean daily body weight gain was recorded in group C followed by group B and A. There were statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences between the three washing groups. Calves were more comfortable with increase number of washing in a day in hot summer. The rectal temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate also varied significantly (P < 0.05) between the three experiment groups. It can be concluded that daily four times washing in hot summer had more beneficial effects over three and two times washing of young Nili-Ravi buffalo calves to decrease rectal temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate and to increase average feed utilization and daily gain under tropical climate.

Revival performance of growing buffalo calves fed on urea molasses liquid diet and roughage as survival feed

The potential of urea molasses liquid diet (UMLD) with two levels of roughage as survival feed (Phase-I) and its impact on the performance during revival period (Phase-II) was studied on eight growing buffalo calves (209 kg mean body weight; 1 year age) divided into two equal groups in a completely randomised design. In the first phase, the calves of both the groups were offered 3 kg UMLD (molasses 84%; urea 3%; mineral mixture 2%; phosphoric acid 1% and protein pellets 1%) along with 500 and 1000 g wheat straw per 100 body weight in Group 1 and 2, respectively. Protein pellets, which were part of UMLD were given separately. In Phase-II, animals of both the groups were fed on similar diets consisting of ad libitum wheat straw and concentrate mixture (ground nut cake 33%; wheat bran 32%; crushed maize 32%; mineral mixture 2% and common salt 1%) as per their requirements to attain 500 g daily growth. At the termination of each phase of 120 days, a metabolism trial of 6 days duration was conducted. The animals fed UMLD along with 1000 g wheat straw per 100 kg body weight (Group 2), though, consumed significantly more of almost all the nutrients, except comparable DM and OM, during Phase-I, the digestibility of DM, OM and EE was higher in Group 1, however, digestibility of other nutrients was comparable between the groups. On the other hand, when the animals were shifted to revival diet (Phase-II), the intake and digestibility of all the nutrients were similar between the groups. The loss in body weight during survival feeding was 187.5 and 16.7 g daily in Group 1 and 2, respectively, which was compensated during revival feeding with an average daily gain of 449.9 and 337.5 g in corresponding groups. Though the differences were insignificant, the animals fed UMLD along with 500 g wheat straw per 100 kg body weight (Group 1) could not attain body weight similar to the animals of Group 2. Plane of nutrition and retention of nutrients were largely similar in calves of both the groups during both the periods. Since, the feeding of UMLD along with 1000 g wheat straw per 100 kg body weight resulted in minimal body weight loss, it can be practiced as potential survival feed during feed scarcity without any adverse impact on the performance of buffalo calves during revival period.