Study on Conventional vs. Artificial Rearing of Surti Buffalo Calves

Ketan A. Patel; Rana Ranjeet Singh; Sandhya S. Chaudhary; V. K. Singh; M. Choubey

doi:10.5455/ijlr.20180901040937

Authors

Ketan A. Patel Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari-396 450, Gujarat, INDIA
Rana Ranjeet Singh Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari-396 450, Gujarat, INDIA
Sandhya S. Chaudhary Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari-396 450, Gujarat, INDIA
V. K. Singh Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari-396 450, Gujarat, INDIA
M. Choubey Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari-396 450, Gujarat, INDIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20180901040937

Keywords:

Average Daily Gain, Body Weight, Milk Replacer and Surti Buffalo Calves

Abstract

Present investigation was conducted at Livestock Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat. Twenty-four Surti buffalo calves on 6^th day of their age were divided into three groups viz. Control: suckling group, T₁: whole milk feeding (10% body weight) and T₂: commercial milk replacer (MR) (10% body weight). Perusal of data revealed that there was non-significant difference in the body weight of control, T₁ and T₂ group of calves at all test days. However, live body weight of T₁ group was higher than control and T₂group of calves from 48 to 90 days. Average daily gain in body weight of T₁ group of calves were higher than control and T₂group of calves at all stages except between 76-90^th day of age. In T₁ group of calves, total feed intake on dry matter basis was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control and T₂ groups. Serum glucose concentration of T₁group (108.12±3.60 mg/dl) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than control (86.70±5.51mg/dl) and T₂ group (88.42±5.63mg/dl) on 27 days of age. It was observed that incidence of diseases was more in T₂ group calves than control and T₁ group. Thus, it was concluded that live body weight and average daily gain was comparatively better for Surti buffalo calves raised artificially on whole milk than on milk replacer and calves raised under conventional calf rearing system.