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Abstract
Nineteen buffalo heifers were divided into four groups, the first group (G1) included five animals with average body weight 200-250 kg and served as control group, the second group (G2) included four animals with average body weight 200-250 kg, the third group (G3) included five animals with average body weight 250-300 kg, and the fourth group (G4) included five animals with average body weight 300-350 kg. The G2, G3 and G4 received the feeds according to the farm regime (G1) plus feed additive Tri-Mic (microbial flora) as 15 g/h/d for one month. Feed intake as dry matter (DM), total digestible nutrients (TDN), crude protein (CP) and digestible crude protein (DCP) were significantly (P<0.05) increased for G3 and G4 as compared to G1 and G2 during pre-puberty and post-puberty periods, due to increased body weight but not to feed additive since G1 and G2 feed intakes were not significantly different.
The average daily gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the treated groups than in the control group during pre- and post-puberty periods. The feed efficiency for different nutrients was higher (P<0.05) in G3 as compared to the other groups during pre-puberty period. However, it was slightly lower in G3 and G4 than the control group during the post-puberty period. The hepatic transaminases concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in G2 and lower in G4 as compared to the control group during pre-puberty period. Moreover, urea and creatinine levels were lower (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 as compared to the control group during pre- and post-puberty periods.
Age at puberty was lower in G3 and G4 than in G1 and G2. The mean length of days open was 96, 70 and 94 days for G2, G3 and G4, respectively. While number of services/conception averaged 1, 1.75 and 1.25 for the respective groups. Average calf birth weight was proportional to the dam weight at calving.
Average daily milk yield was lower (P<0.05) in G3 than in G2 and G4. Moreover, the percentages of total protein, lactose, total solids, solids non-fat and ash were significantly (P<0.05) different among groups. However, insignificant differences were noticed in yields of different milk contents among groups.
Age and weight at puberty and first conception in buffalo heifers were found to be significantly correlated with some body measurements. In summary, body weight of buffalo heifers may considerably affect the physiological response of animals to the Tri-Mic feed supplement.