Effect of feeding levels and management systems on performance of buffalo calves
Abstract
The present investigation was conducted on 20 female buffalo calves from 8th April to 8th October, 2003 with a view of study the effect of two levels of feeding and management systems on their growth performance. The treatments were 100 per cent ICAR feeding (1985) and routine management (T1), 100 per cent ICAR feeding and improved management (T2), 120 per cent ICAR feeding and routine management (T3) and 120 per cent ICAR feeding and improved management (T4). The silent findings of the present study are:
The daily dry matter, crude protein and total digestible nutrients intake were significantly (P<0.05) higher in enhanced level of feeding. The rearing systems had significantly (P<0.05) influenced dry matter and crude protein intake per 100 kg body weight of calves. Feed conversion efficiency was significantly (P<0.05) higher in 120 per cent ICAR feeding and improved management group because these calves required less nutrients as compared to other groups. Feeding with higher plane of nutrition reflected significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight gain (460g/day) as compared to normal level of feeding (340 g/day). The calves under improved management gained significantly (P<0.05) more (440g/day) than those reared under routine management (360d/day). The effect of treatments on body measurements (body length, height, heart girth and abdominal girth) of calves were not significant.
Nutrients digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) higher in enhanced level of feeding and improved management except crude fibre. Respiration rate and pulse rate of the calves in the evening was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by levels of feeding and management systems. But rectal temperature was not significantly influenced by treatments. No significant difference was observed in feeding behaviour of calves under different treatments. The labour requirement for feeding and washing of calves was significantly (P<0.05) higher in improved management than routinely managed calves. The cost of raising a calf was lowest in 120 per cent ICAR feeding (Rs. 27.00) and improved management (Rs. 28.00) than normal ICAR feeding (Rs. 33.45) and routine managed (Rs. 31.80) calves. The age at first breeding was less in 120 per cent ICAR feeding (761 days) and improved management (795 days) than 100 per cent ICAR feeding (1029 days) and routinely managed (972 days) calves. Thus raising of calf with
120 per cent ICAR feeding and improved management is more economical as compared to other systems.