Studies on performance of buffalo calves fed on acidified milk [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Fifteen water buffalo calves 15 days old were divided depending on weight and sex into three groups with mean birth weight of 35.4 kg.. The effects of three buffalo milk diets: untreated milk (G1) or cold milk acidified with formic acid (3ml/liter, G2) or citric acid (1 g/liter, G3) were studied. The experiment lasted for 114 days as a mean, the weaning weight ranged from 82 to 93 kg. Animal weights were recorded every two weeks. Feed intake was measured daily, cases of diarrhea and any other diseases were recorded. The experiment was divided into two stages; liquid feeding period (first 45 days) and liquid plus solid feeding period (from 46 days to weaning). In the first period, calves were fed for 45 days only on buffalo milk to study their performance without interaction of solid feeds. Three liters of buffalo milk were given in two daily portions (2 liters in the morning and one liter afternoon). Digestibility trial and blood serum sampling were conducted at 45th day. In this period; feed efficiency on the base of DM intake (kg) / kg gain were 1.2, 1.4 and 2.06 for control, formic and citric groups. respectively. However in the 1st month control group was superior to formic and citric groups in average daily gain (ADG), control gained 433 g/day in comparison with 333 and 253 g/day for formic and citric groups. respectively. In the second month formic group reached 379 g/day in comparison with 306 and 299 g/day for control and citric groups, respectively. Dry matter intake was nearly similar for all groups, on the other hand treated groups were superior to control in nutrients digestibility (p<0.05 or 0.01), but there weren't any significant differences between groups in blood serum parameters. In the second period, calves were fed on starter beside milk till weaning. Digestibility trial and blood serum sampling were conducted at 90th day. There weren't significant differences between groups in calves weight, average daily gain, milk intake, starter intake or TON intake. Mean values recorded for feed efficiency on the base of OM intake (kg)/kg gains were 2.18, 2.52 and 3.13 for control, formic and citric groups, respectively. Formic group gained 559 g/day compared with 466 and 406 g/ day for control and citric groups, respectively. Treated groups were significantly higher than control group in nutrients digestibility. Blood serum parameters were within the normal range without significant differences between groups, there weren't any harmful effects due to experimental treatments. Diarrhea and pneumonia infections were significantly different among groups, calves given cold milk acidified with formic acid recorded the lowest diarrhea infections.

Summary in Arabic.

1