Effect of feeding a rumen modifier on nutrient intake, growth and performance of buffalo calves

Abstract

The study was conducted to see the effect on nutrient intake, growth and performance of buffalo calves by feeding a rumen modifier which is mixture of RM-7 [neem seed cake (Azadirachta indica), mahua seed cake (Madhuca longifolia), fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare), harad (Terminalia chebula), fruit pulp of bahera (Terminalia bellirica), fruit pulp of amla (Phyllanthus emblica) and ajwain seed (Trachyspermum ammi) in 2:2:2:1:1:1:1 proportion] and sodium sulphate. The experiment was conducted on 21 growing buffalo calves divided into three groups, in a completely randomized design for a period of 120 days. The animals were fed roughage: concentrate in 50:50 ratio and the diet was isonitrogenous. The control group (T1) were fed basal diet, treatment group (T2) fed basal diet plus rumen modifier (RM-7 @2% DMI + sodium sulphate @0.06%) and treatment group (T3) fed basal diet plus rumen modifier (RM-7 @4% DMI + sodium sulphate @0.06%). The daily dry matter intake and digestibility showed no significant difference (P>0.05) when compared to control. The growth rate showed increasing trend numerically in treatment group when compared to control but was not significant (P>0.05).The study concludes that we can feed rumen modifier without any adverse effect on health of animal.