RESPONSE OF DIFFERENT LE VELS OF CRUDE PROTEIN OF TOTAL MIXED RATION ON NUTRIENT INTAKE,GROWTH RATE AND FEED EFFICIENCY IN NILI RAVI BUFFALO CALVEST

Abstract

Twenty Nili Ravi buffalo male calves of 11 to 12 months of age and weighing170- 190 kg were enrolled for this study in a completely randomized design (CRD) to inspect the varying level of crude protein (CP) on nutrient intake, weight gain and feed efficiency of male buffalo calves on total mixed ration (TMR) based ration. Four experimental rations A, B, C and D were formulated containing 10, 12, 14 and 16% CP respectively while all diets contained 2.4 Kcal/kg ME.The animals were individually fed ad libitum intakes and all standard managemental standards were observed. The dry mater intake(DMI) was higher(6.81kg) in buffalo calves fed TMR containing 12%CP (group B) followed by those fed TMR A(6.73 kg),TMR C(6.08 kg) and TMR D(5.62 kg) respectively. Daily weight gain was statistically significant(P<0.05) higher (0.93 kg) in animals fed TMR B having 12%CP followed by those fed TMR A(0.86 kg),TMR C(0.85 kg) and TMR D (0.84kg) respectively. Similarly feed efficiency (feed intake per unit gain) in animals fed TMR B(7.90 kg).TMR C(7.90 kg) and TMR D(7.91kg).The feed efficiency was significantly lower(P<0.05) as compared to group A which have significantly higher(P<0.05) feed efficiency (8.49).It is thus concluded that TMR of 12%CP had good results.