Sardar Alam, Maj.
Effect Of Different Levels Of Milk And Early Weaning Diet On The Performance Of Buffalo Calves From Birth To 13 Weeks - 1999
An experiment was conducted to see the effect of different levels of whole milk and early weaning diet (calf starter) on the performance of buffalo calves from birth to 13 weeks of age. Twentyone healthy newly born female buffalo calves were randomly allotted to three different feeding regimes (A, B and C). In feeding regime 'A' whole milk was fed at the rate of 10% of live body weight up to sixth week of age. In 7th week the same quantity of milk was fed and then the quantity of whole milk was reduced every week at the rate of 1/6th of the 6th week allowance. The calves in this group were weaned at the age of 12 weeks. In feeding regime 'B' and 'C' whole milk was fed at the rate of 10% of live body weight up to 30 days then the quantity of milk was restricted to 3 litres per day in group B and 2 litres per day in group C upto the consumption of 800 gram of calf starter and to 1.5 litres per day in group B and 1 litres per day in group C till the consumption of 1.2 kg of calf starter. On the average calves of group A consumed a total of 259.44 litres of whole milk and weaned at 12 weeks of age. On the average the calves in group B and C consumed 214.15 and 167.77 litres of whole milk and were weaned at 72 and 74 days respectively. Calf starter, green fodder and wheat straw was provide ad libitum to compensate the reduced allowance of milk. Calves of group 'C' consumed the minimum quantity of whole milk and the maximum quantity of calf starter, gave satisfactory results. Thus the feeding of milk upto 90 days is not necessary if sufficient quantity of nutritionally balanced diet is provided in addition to limited quantity of whole milk.
The average weight gains in the calves of group A, B and C were 48.78, 46.36, 43.71 Kg respectively. There was non-significant difference in the weight gain and general body condition.
The cost of feeding for a unit ( Kg ) gain in group A, B and C was Rs.5 1.60, 48. and 42.54 respectively. The cost of feeding for a unit gain in group C was significantly (P<0.05) less than in group A and B.
Department of Animal Nutrition
0592,T
Effect Of Different Levels Of Milk And Early Weaning Diet On The Performance Of Buffalo Calves From Birth To 13 Weeks - 1999
An experiment was conducted to see the effect of different levels of whole milk and early weaning diet (calf starter) on the performance of buffalo calves from birth to 13 weeks of age. Twentyone healthy newly born female buffalo calves were randomly allotted to three different feeding regimes (A, B and C). In feeding regime 'A' whole milk was fed at the rate of 10% of live body weight up to sixth week of age. In 7th week the same quantity of milk was fed and then the quantity of whole milk was reduced every week at the rate of 1/6th of the 6th week allowance. The calves in this group were weaned at the age of 12 weeks. In feeding regime 'B' and 'C' whole milk was fed at the rate of 10% of live body weight up to 30 days then the quantity of milk was restricted to 3 litres per day in group B and 2 litres per day in group C upto the consumption of 800 gram of calf starter and to 1.5 litres per day in group B and 1 litres per day in group C till the consumption of 1.2 kg of calf starter. On the average calves of group A consumed a total of 259.44 litres of whole milk and weaned at 12 weeks of age. On the average the calves in group B and C consumed 214.15 and 167.77 litres of whole milk and were weaned at 72 and 74 days respectively. Calf starter, green fodder and wheat straw was provide ad libitum to compensate the reduced allowance of milk. Calves of group 'C' consumed the minimum quantity of whole milk and the maximum quantity of calf starter, gave satisfactory results. Thus the feeding of milk upto 90 days is not necessary if sufficient quantity of nutritionally balanced diet is provided in addition to limited quantity of whole milk.
The average weight gains in the calves of group A, B and C were 48.78, 46.36, 43.71 Kg respectively. There was non-significant difference in the weight gain and general body condition.
The cost of feeding for a unit ( Kg ) gain in group A, B and C was Rs.5 1.60, 48. and 42.54 respectively. The cost of feeding for a unit gain in group C was significantly (P<0.05) less than in group A and B.
Department of Animal Nutrition
0592,T