Biometric evaluation of surti buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves under modified feeding systems

Introduction

Farmers of Asian continent use tamed water buffaloes for agriculture and other socioeconomic purposes and are popularly known as "The living tractor of the East." (Bakkannavar et al. 2010) [1] . Buffaloes are known as Asia's "Black Gold" and have become the choice of milch animal for farmers (Presicce, 2007) [4] due to their attractive colour and economic value to the society. The Surti buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is one of India's most well-known buffalo breeds. The Surti buffalo breed is bred in Gujarat's Kaira and Baroda districts. The body is well-shaped and medium in size, with a wedge-shaped barrel. The head of this breed is quite large with straight back conformation. This breed has medium-sized animals with sickle-shaped horns and prominent eyes. It's either black or brown in colour. The breed is specifically distinguished by two white markings, one around the jaw and the other around the brisket. Milk output varies between 900 and 1300 kg with high fat content (8-10%). The age at first calving is 40-50 months, with inter-calving time of 400-500 days. Birth weight of calves varies from 21 to 25 kg (Thamilvanan et al. 2009) [7] . Animal owners frequently did not chaff and soak the straw or stover, and feed it to their animals in un-chopped or semi-chopped forms. Furthermore, un-chopped straw allows the animal to selectively choose digestible portion, while leaving less digestible, rough parts behind, resulting in increased wastage; moreover, the animal must expend more energy chewing un-chopped materials, resulting in increased energy expenditure (Chander, 2010) [2] and ultimately reduce the production performance in animals. The terms such as "Complete Feed" and "Total Mixed Ration" (TMR) or "Complete Ration" (CR) are inter-changeable. As the name suggests, a complete feed block is an animal edible product created by compacting complete feed consisting of roughage and concentrate into a predetermined proportion capable of meeting the nutrient requirements for the targeted animal production system. The CCFB (Compressed Complete Feed Block) is a ready-to-eat complete diet that is convenient, affordable and multi-nutrient correct (Salem and Nefzaoui, 2003) [5] ration for ruminants. Which results in a more stable and optimal environment for rumen microbial fermentation, which ultimately improve dry matter intake (DMI) and production performance (Verma et al. 1996) [8] .

Materials and Methods

The The calves were housed individually in well ventilated, clean and dry pucca shed with facilities for feeding and watering. The shed was disinfected with potassium permanganate solution, sanitized and white washed prior to the introduction of calves. Each buffalo calf was tied with a rope near the manger to ensure that it received feed individually.

Each animal was given a different identification number. The control group (T 1 ) was kept on conventional feeding as per farm routine, while treatment group (T 2 ) was fed compressed complete feed block (CCFB).Both the diets were made iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric to meet the requirement for growth as per ICAR standards (2013). The calves were de-wormed and vaccinated before the start of the experiment and group housed on cemented concrete floor with provision of feeding and watering. All the calves were fed conventionally as per the requirement of adaptation period of 7 days.

Body length

The body length of experimental animals was recorded with the help of measuring tape by taking measurement on either side of animal from the point of shoulder to the point of pin bone and the average was recorded in cm.

Height at withers

The animals were made to stand on a levelled floor with its head in normal position and then the height was recorded as the distance from the ground to the highest point of withers on either side of the body and was recorded in cm.

Thoracic girth

The circumference of the body over the chest of the animal immediately behind the shoulder, forelegs and the hump, recorded in cm.

Abdominal girth

The circumference around the abdomen ahead of the udder, recorded in cm.

Weight of animals

The body weight of the experimental animals was recorded in the morning prior to feeding and watering at the beginning and then at fortnightly intervals during the entire length of experiment with the help of electrically operated digital platform in kilogram.

Statistical Analysis

Data collected during the course of experiment was first tabulated using descriptive statistics and analyzed by t-test and mean within the group was compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) with the help of SPSS software. Overall mean of body length of calves was higher in T 1 group as compared to T 2 group through it was not significantly different. Length of calves was higher in T 1 group as compared to T 2 group on different test days. The Mean value of T 1 group and T 2 group showed increasing trend from Initial to 90 th day in both the groups. The F-value of both the groups was higher significantly (p < 0.01). The overall height of calves was higher in T 1 than T 2 group. Height at wither of calves in T 1 group was higher than T 2 group on different test days observation. While comparing within group the height at wither was similar on 30 th , 45 th and 60 th day in T 1 group and it was similar on 30 th , 45 th , 60 th and 75 th day in calves of T 2 group. The mean value of thoracic girth on initial, 15 th , 30 th , 45 th , 60 th , 75 th and 90 th day of study as well as overall thoracic girth for T 1 group was 98.45 ± 4.52, 103.34 ± 4.66, 107.95 ± 3.84, 107.37 ± 3.61, 109.79 ± 3.17, 117.98 ± 4.35, 115.82 ± 4.28 and 108.67 ± 1.68 for T 2 group was 90.32 ± 3.93, 99.25 ± 2.51, 102.80 ± 2.57, 105.95 ± 2.20, 106.61 ± 2.14, 114.48 ± 3.49, 113.57 ± 3.18 and 104.71 ± 4.34 respectively.

The overall thoracic girth of T 1 group of calves was higher than T 2 group. The F-value of both the groups was higher significantly (p < 0.01). Thoracic girth of T 1 and T 2 groups showed increasing trend from initial to 90 th day. Almost similar thoracic girth was found in T 1 and T 2 groups on 45 th , 60 th , 75 th and 90 th day. [3] while working with buffalo and crossbred calves, to study effect of urea molasses block (UMB) supplementation on heart girth length, wither height and body length of buffalo calves, reported that average heart girth, withers height and body length varied significantly (p < 0.01). Significant difference between groups might be due to different climate, breed and time period of study. The overall mean of body weight of T 1 group was higher than T 2 group though the difference was not significant. Comparison between groups revealed no significant difference for body weights throughout the study period. Within T 1 group body weights at 60 th , 75 th and 90 th day significantly (p < 0.05) higher than Initial whereas within T 2 group body weights were significantly (p < 0.05) higher at 45 th and 60 th days than initial, at 75 th day than Initial and 15 th and 90 th day. The F-values were significant in both the groups. Contrast to our result, Singh et al. (1998) [6] carried out a study on evaluation of berseem based complete feed blocks in 12 growing buffalo calves categorized into 2 groups. They noticed significantly (p < 0.05) higher live weight gain in growing buffalo calves fed on complete feed blocks. This might be due to difference in weather and duration of experiment.

Conclusion

Overall body weight of T 1 was higher than T 2 group of calves though the difference was not significant. Overall body length, height at wither, thoracic girth and paunch girth of T 1 was higher than T 2 group of calves though the difference was not significant.

Acknowledgement

Acknowledgment I would like to mention with gratitude the name of Dr. N. B. Patel (Associate Research Scientist) Livestock Research Station, Navsari and other supporting staff members of Livestock Research Station Navsari, for the invaluable cooperation rendered directly or indirectly during my research work. The technical assistance and the guidance of Dr. R. R. Singh and Dr. V. R. Patel in stages of the study are also acknowledged.

References

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