Abstract
The study investigated the performance response of different dietary protein and energy levels of Nili-Ravi buffalo calves. Sixty buffalo calves of 12–15 months of age and similar body weight (140 ± 14 kg) were divided in to 12 groups, five animals in each group, according to 4 × 3 factorial arrangements. Twelve rations were formulated containing four levels of crude protein (CP; 10.5%, 12.20%, 13.80%, and 15.55%) each with three levels (1.72, 2.11, and 2.5 Mcal/Kg) of metabolizable energy (ME). Experiment lasted for 100 days; first 10 days were given for dietary adaptation. Daily feed consumption in calves fed all experimental diets were statistically significant (p < 0.05) across all treatments. Higher feed intake was observed in buffalo calves fed diets containing 12.20% and 13.85% CP with 2.11 Mcal/kg ME. Results of dry matter (DM) digestion were significantly different (p < 0.05) across all treatments. There was a quadratic (p < 0.05) response of DM digestibility for levels of dietary protein while, curvilinear (p < 0.05) trend with respect to dietary energy levels. Daily weight gain of buffalo calves did not show any treatment effect. The outcome of the present study indicate that 12–15-month-old buffalo calves perform adequately well when fed on diets containing 12.2% CP and 2.10 ME Mcal/Kg.
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An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9787-3
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Shahzad, M.A., Tauqir, N.A., Ahmad, F. et al. Effects of feeding different dietary protein and energy levels on the performance of 12–15-month-old buffalo calves. Trop Anim Health Prod 43, 685–694 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9753-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9753-5