Response of growing buffalo calves to various energy and protein concentrations

The current study was planned to examine the response of altered dietary protein and energy concentrations on nutrients utilization, nitrogen metabolism and weight gain in growing male Nil Ravi buffalo calves to know optimum protein and energy requirements in comparison with those documented by the Nutrient Requirement for Cattle (NRC) for calves. Thirty six calves of 6-7 months of age weighing (77 +/- 05 kg) were divided into 6 groups, six animals in each group, according to 3 x 2 factorial arrangements of treatments. Six experimental diets were formulated containing three levels of crude protein (CP; 11.85, 14.20 and 16.50%) each with two levels of metabolizable energy (ME; 1.86 and 2.23 Mcal/kg). The animals were fed individually ad libitum for 100 days; the first 10 days was the dietary adaptation period while the last 10 days of each of the remaining month served as the collection period. Daily feed consumption in calves fed all the experimental diets remained unaltered. However, the intake of fiber fractions was significant (p<0.05) among treatment groups. The digestibility of dry matter (DM) was significant (p<0.05) while neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and CP digestibilities were similar among treatment groups. However, the intake of DM, CP, ME and fiber fractions indicated significant (p<0.05) difference among treatment means with respect to protein levels. On the other hand, the intake of ME and fiber fractions was significant (p<0.05) with respect to ME levels of the diets. Similarly, digestibilities of DM and fiber fraction also showed significant (p<0.05) difference among treatment means. Weight gain, and feed conversion efficiency of buffalo calves didn't show any treatment effect. The findings of the present study suggested 14.20% and 2.24 Mcal/kg ME as optimum CP and energy requirements for growing male buffalo calves with less than 1 year of age. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.