Effects of nutritional levels in the diet on the body weight gain of growing buffalo at 7-18 months of age
The purpose of this study is to determine the appropriate nutritional level of feed for growing buffalo at 7-18 months of age in Vietnam. 12 growing buffaloes were used on the study to be arranged in 3 groups. The each group has 4 bufaloes (2 male and 2 female). The body weight was similar in 4 groups. Kearl's (1982) feeding standards for growing buffaloes from 7-12 months of age was used in the study with different levels of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME): Control group (NTĐC) = 100%; Group 1 (NT1) = 105%; Group 2 (NT2) = 110%. The results of using nutrient level in NT2 (110%) increased the daily feed intake, increased body weight of buffalo from 7 - 18 month of age, decreased digestibility and reducing feed cost for 1 kg of weight gain. In the period of 7 -12 months of age, intake of DM, ME and CP of buffalo is 2.97kg; 41.09 MJ và 361.51 g respectively which is highest in NT2. In the period of 13 -18 months of age, intake of DM, ME and CP of buffalo is 2.63kg; 26.73 MJ và 206.14 g respectively which is highest in NT2. In the period 7-18 months of age, absolute growth was highest in NT2 (580.14g/head/day). The DM, ME and CP consumption for 1 kg weight gain In the period of 7 -12 month of age is 7.22 kg; 99.54 MJ and 0.88 kg respectively which is the highest in NT2. The DM, ME and CP consumption for 1 kg weight gain In the period of 13 -18 month of age DM is 15.28 kg; 155.15 MJ and 1.20kg respectively which is the highest in NT2. When using diets with a nutritional level increased by more than 110% compared to Kearl's (1982) standard for growing buffalo, the cost of feed for 1 kg of weight gain decreased by VND 3.831/kg of weight gain (compared to the nutritional level of 105%) and 6.032 VND/kg weight gain (compared to the nutritional level of 100%). Based on the results of the above study, it was found that the diet increased by 110% compared to the standard of Kearl (1982) is selected for buffalo growth period 7 -18 months old.
