Effect of feeding different concentrate: corn silage ratio on body weight and age at conception of buffalo heifers

Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding whole corn silage (WCS) ration with different levels of concentrate feed mixture (CFM) on productive and reproductive performance of Egyptian buffalo heifers after weaning to conception period. Thirty two growing buffalo heifers (about 9 months old and 178 Kg body weight) were assigned randomly into 4 similar groups of 8 each. Each animal group was randomly fed one of the following experimental treatments. The lst treatment ration R I: heifers were fed according to Animal Production Research Institute allowances (1997), the amounts of roughage were maintained to keep a constant R:C ratio of about {61.5% (23% rice straw +38.5% berseem hay) + 38.5% (CFM) } (Farm control rations); while, the experimental ration, R2: 25% CFM + 75% WCS; R3: 50% CFM + 50% WCS, R4: 75% CFM + 25% WCS, these three treatment rations were formulated to cover maintenance and production allowances according to EI-Ashry allowances (1980).
The main results showed that the animals fed R2 recorded lowest (P<0.05) digestibility values of DM, OM and CP and highest (P<0.05) digestibility of CF and EE compared with other treatments. The highest (P<0.05) serum albumin, globulin, total protein, total lipids, NH3-N, creatinine, GOT and GPT were recorded for R4 compared with other treatments. Among the experimental groups, it is obvious that the highest values (p<0.01) of total and daily gain in all tested body measurements were noticed with animals fed (R4). While calves fed on (R2) ration had the lowest values, except for rumen girth. Also, the highest value of average daily body gain was recorded for (R4). While, the lowest one was recorded for (R2). The feed conversion expressed as the amount intake of DM or TDN required per kg gain was significantly (P<0.05) poorest in heifers fed (R2) than those others treatments, with the exception of feed conversion expressed as the amount intake of DCP required per kg gain was significantly (P<0.05) better in heifers fed (R2) than those others treatments. The animals fed ration (R4) recorded significantly (P<0.05) the earliest ages at puberty, 1st service and conception. While, animals fed ration (R2) significantly showed the oldest ages. Interval from puberty to the first service or first service to conception was significantly (P<0.05) shorter for heifers fed (R2) than those other treatments. On the other hand, oestrous activity, number of oestrous cycles from puberty to 1st service or to conception was significantly (P<0.01) higher in heifers fed (R4) ration than those other treatments. The feed cost and efficiency indicated that the animals fed (R2) had the superior economical efficiency. But, heifers fed ration (R3) showing some improvement in productive and reproductive performance i.e. live body weight, rapid rate of growth, some nutrients digestibility and its no embryonic mortality.
Generally, feeding growing buffalo heifers on (R2) which consisted of 75% corn silage: 25% CFM, had the superior economical efficiency, but production, some reproduction performance and production costs increased with increasing feeding CFM.
Keywords: corn silage, buffalo heifers, digestibility, production and reproduction performance

Publication year

2008

Pages

277-292

Availability location

معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شا رع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة

Availability number

Organization Name

Animal Production Research Institute (APRI)

serial title

Egyptian Journal Nutrition and Feeds

ISSN