Effect of High Nutrient Density Diets on Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency, Age at Puberty and Feeding Economics in Nili-Ravi Buffalo Heifers

Abstract Text: Traditional buffalo raising  becomes uneconomical due to poor growth and delayed age at puberty. The feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the feeding diets with varying nutrient density on dry matter intake, growth rate, age at puberty, feed efficency and feeding economics in Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers. Thirty Nili-Ravi buffalo heifer calves between the age of 5-7 months and approximately of 95 kg body weight were assigned to three different treatments, viz: A; Control (CP and ME at NRC, 2001); B; CP and ME contents at 20 % above and C; CP and ME 40 % above NRC recommendations. The experiment continued till manifestation of puberty signs (mucous discharge) in all the three treatment groups. The data were analyzed using SAS 9.1. Dry matter intake was different (P < 0.05) among the treatment groups being 6.71^a± 2.69, 7.99^b± 3.28 and 9.11^c± 3.90 kg for A, B and C, respectively. The average daily CP  and ME intake was also  different (P < 0.05) being 876.03^a±348.38, 1094.43^b±445.84 and 1285.98^c±546.62 g CP and 15.36^a±6.12, 18.83^b±7.69 and 21.85^c±9.31 Mcal/Kg ME for A, B and C respectively. There was no difference in the average daily gain of treatment A and B (525.88^a±292.92, 551.98^a g), while treatment C (612.99 ^b±350.17 g) gained higher as compared to other two treatment groups. The feed efficiency of treatment A (0.093^a±0.06) was higher as compare to treatment B & C (0.081^b±0.05 and 0.081^b±0.05). The mean body length (111.98^a±12.79 & 111.35^a±13.61 cm) and heart girth (142.22^a±21.27 & 142.89^a±22.71 cm) was same in treatment A & B while different in treatment C (113.07^b±14.29 cm) & (144.39^b± 23.71 cm). The height at wither was higher in treatment C (116.20^b±13.18 cm) as compare to A whereas it was similar between A & B and B & C. (117.07^a±12.61 & 116.68^ab±12.99 cm for A and B, respectively. There was no difference in the mean age at puberty of all the three treatment groups (733.11^a±50.55, 716.78^a±33.65 and 723.50^a±26.31 days) while weight at puberty was same for treatment A & B (384.87^a±30.47 & 398.40^ab±35.92 kg) and between B and C (423.90^b±30.12 kg). The averaged daily feeding cost was lower in treatment “A” (Rs. 139.93a±28.27) as compared to “B” (Rs. 195.12^b±41.92) and “C” (Rs. 246.25^c±56.39). Buffalo heifers were found efficient converter and economical to raise on low nutrient density diet without affecting their age at puberty.

Keywords: Nili-Ravi buffaloes, age at puberty, nutrient density