Comparative Performance of Calves Fed Milk and/or Milk Replacer Supplemented with Calf Starter up to Weaning Age in Nili-Ravi Buffaloes

作者：Abdullah Muhammad^*; Iqbal Zeeshan Muhammad; Saadullah Muhammad; Ahsan ul Haque; Javed Khalid; Jabbar Makhdoom Abdul; Tauseef Aasim

来源：Buffalo Bulletin, 2013, 32: 874-877.

• whole milk
• milk replacer
• feed efficiency
• weight gain
• dry matter intake

Buffalo calves are mostly deprived of milk due to premium prices of buffalo milk. The experiment was designed to determine the effect of whole milk, milk replacer and whole milk cum milk replacer on dry matter intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency in Nili Ravi buffalo calves. Thirty six newborn female buffalo calves were randomly divided into three treatments A (Whole milk), B (50% whole milk & 50% milk replacer) & C (milk replacer). All the calves were offered calf starter (19% CP) from 20 to 120 day of age and free access to drinking water. Green fodder was also offered to all the treatment calves from 60 to 120 day of age. Average daily dry matter intake in treatment A, B and C was 1555.55 +/- 221.280, 1488.67 +/- 157.65 and 1459.04 +/- 172.19 g, respectively, the difference being non significant (P>0.05). The average daily weight gain of treatment A, B and C was 457.38 +/- 110.13, 426.67 +/- 78.70 and 362.22 +/- 107.83 g, respectively. There was a significant (P<0.05) difference between the weight gain of treatment A and C while there was non-significant (P>0.05) difference between the weight gain of treatment A&B and B&C. The mean values for FCR in all the three treatments (A, B and C) were 3.49 +/- 0.56,3.560.50 +/- and 4.30 +/- 1.24, respectively. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of treatment A and B was better than treatment C. It can be concluded from this study that 50% whole milk can be replaced with milk replacer in daily milk allowance of Nili Ravi calves without effecting dry matter intake, growth rate and feed efficiency.

• 出版日期2013