Effect of feeding rations supplemented with trimic (microbes and vitamins) on dlgestmility and Performance of growing buffalo calves. [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Effect of dietary Tri-Mic (Microbes and Vitamins) supplementation on nutrient digestibility coefficients, blood constituents, growth performance and economic efficiency of growing Egyptian buffalo calves was investigated. A total of 15 growing buffalo calves were randomly assigned to three groups of 5 animals each. Calves in the control group (T1) were given a basal ration which consisted of a concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and rice straw without additives while the other two groups received the basal ration with added Tri-Mic (TM), at 7.5 gihld (T2) or at 15 gihld (T,). The experimental period lasted 6 months. Results showed that DM, TDN and DCP intakes from rations supplemented with TM (T2 and T3) significantly (P<O.OS) increased when compared with the control calves (T,). Values for digestibility coefficients ofDM, OM, CP, CF and EE and feeding values (TDN and DCP) were significantly (P<O.05) improved for rations of the supplemented groups (T2 and T3). However, NFE values did not differ significantly among the three groups. Live body weight (LBW) significantly (P<O.OS) increased in the supplemented groups as compared with the control group. Total weight gain and average daily gain were also significantly (P<O.05) higher in the supplemented groups than in the control group. A significant increase in total protein and (P<O.05) albumin as well as a significant decrease in urea and creatinine concentrations and activity of GOT and GPT (P<O.05) were observed in the blood serum of the supplemented groups (T2 and T3) when compared with the control group (T I). Meanwhile, level of serum globulin and NG ratio did not differ significantly among the three groups. Cost per Kg gain of the supplemented groups decreased when compared with the control group, which indicated better economic efficiency of calves fed the supplemented rations (T2 and T3). It could be concluded that feeding growing buffalo calves on rations supplemented with TM (specially, 7.5 gihld) has beneficial effects on growth performance, digestibility coefficients, blood parameters and economic efficiency of growing buffalo calves.

Summary in Arabic.

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