Effect of Feeding Different Levels of Concentrates on Buffalo Calves Performance, Digestibility and Carcass Traits

2 Abstract: Six-month experiment was carried out in order to investigate the effect of concentrate levels on performance of buffalo calves. Twenty-one male buffalo calves with average body weight of about 286 kg divided into three equal groups were randomly assigned to the following concentrate levels., 70,85 and 100% of the concentrate feed mixture (groups A. B and C, respectively). Allowance of the concentrates was offered to all animals twice a day at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. in equal portions while roughage (rice straw) was available at all time. Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion were determined. Acid insoluble ash was used to determine digestibility. At the end of the experiment all calves were slaughtered and carcass traits were recorded. No differences between groups regarding the change in body weight were detected. Calves fed 100% concentrate gained more than the other two groups in all experimental periods. The overall average feed intake for groups A. B and C were 8.65, 9.81 and 11.11 kg/d, respectively. Feed conversion was better for the 70% group than the control. No differences were found regarding the digestibility of all nutrients as a result of feeding different concentrate levels during summer season. However, during winter season some differences were found regarding digestion coefficients of DM and CP being higher in group C than the other groups. Heavier weights of carcass, bone and boneless meat were obtained from calves of group C comparing to the group and group B which had non significant less values than group C. Dressing percentage was higher (P<0.05) in groups B and C than group A. Meat to fat ratio followed the same pattern of dressing percentage.