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Effect of feeding different concentrate: corn silage ratio on: 2- productive and some reproductive performance of pregnant buffalo heifers
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Abstract: The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding whole corn silage (WCS) ration with different levels of concentrate feed mixture (CFM) on productive and some reproductive performance of Egyptian pregnant buffalo heifers before calving and up to the first 105 days of first lactation season. Twenty-Four heifers were grouped into 3 feeding treatments (eight animals each). Each group was randomly fed one of the following treatments. R1: pregnant heifers were fed as the amounts of roughage were maintained to keep a constant R: C ratio of about 61.5% (23% rice straw + 38.5% berseem hay) and 38.5% CFM respectively (control ration); while, the tested rations, R2: consisted of 25% CFM+ 75% CS and contained R3: 50% CFM+ 50% CS. Rations were formulated to cover maintenance and production allowances according to El-Ashry allowances (El-Ashry, 1980). Feeding experiment was started from the first 3 months of gestation till the first 105 days of lactation. Ages and live body weight an average at the beginning of experimental were 600 days old and 369 kg body weight, respectively. Animals received high CFM level (R3) during pre and postpartum period recorded the highest digestibility values of DM, OM, CP, EE and NFE as will as feeding values (TDN and DCP) compared with other treatments. While, CF digestibility was higher significantly (P<0.05) for low CFM level (R2). Daily gain, body condition score of heifers fed (R1) or high CFM levels (R3) were significantly (P<0.05) better than those fed low CFM level (R2) Also. animals received high CFM level (R3) were higher (P<0.05) in respect of live body weight body weight changes daily gain and body condition score at first 1st or 3 month after calving than those of (R2) which showed the poorest mean values. At the same time animals fed (R2) recorded lower (P<0.05) average daily milk than those of other treatments, but, milk fat, protein and lactose were not significantly (P<0.05) affected by R: C ratio. From this study, it could be concluded that diet of R3 which consisted of 50% CFM+ 50% WCS could be preferably fed to pregnant buffalo heifers at the first calving in which improved live body weight changes body condition score feed conversation, economic efficiency and consequently decrease the number of days till first calving.
Keywords: feeding, corn silage level, buffalo heifers, digestibility, milk yield and performance
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| Publication year |
2011
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| Pages |
159-168
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| Availability location |
معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى-ا لجيزة
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| Availability number |
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| Organization Name |
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| serial title |
Egyptian Journal Nutrition and Feeds
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| ISSN |
1110-6360
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| Author(s) from ARC |
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| External authors (outside ARC) |
محمد عبد المنعم العشرى
جامعة عين شمس
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| Agris Categories |
Animal feeding
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AGROVOC
TERMS |
Digestibility.
Feeding.
Milk yield.
Performance testing.
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| Proposed Agrovoc |
buffalo heifers;corn silage level;
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| Publication Type |
Journal
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