Effect of Plane of Nutrition on Nutrient Utilization in Pre-partum Murrah Buffaloes and Birth Weight of Their Calves
Srividhya, S. | Malik, R. | Naliyapara, H.B. | Dey, Dipak
The present study was conducted to ascertain the effect of feeding a higher level of metabolizable energy and metabolizable protein on feed intake, nutrient utilization, and optimizing their calves' birth weight. Eighteen pregnant Murrah buffaloes in the last trimester of pregnancy were distributed into three groups (n=6) based on average body weight (629.69+15.05 kg) and lactation number (3.27+0.05). The feeding trial was conducted 90 days before prepartum. Group T₁ (Control) was fed as per ICAR (2013) recommendation, whereas animals in group T₂ (HME) were offered 30% higher energy and group T₃ (HMP) were offered 40 % higher protein than ICAR (2013) recommendation. Concentrate mixture and green fodder were offered to an individual animal as per experimental protocol. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar among the groups. Average daily body weight gain was higher (P<0.05) in HMP, followed by HME and control group. It was observed that apparent digestibility coefficients (%) of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre were higher (P<0.05) in groups HMP and HME as compared to control, the differences between HMP and HME were non-significant. Birth weight of calves was higher (P<0.01) in HMP than HME groups as compared to control, however, the best response was observed in group HMP. It was concluded that the higher levels of protein in the diet of pregnant Murrah buffaloes during last trimester can produce increased calf birth weight compared to high levels of energy.
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