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Stomach development in buffalo calves as influenced by different feeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

Manohar Singh
Affiliation:
Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar, India
I. S. Yadava
Affiliation:
Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar, India
A. R. Rao
Affiliation:
Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar, India

Summary

Thirty-two milk-fed Murrah buffalo calves of 3 weeks of age were randomly allotted to four dietary groups: milk, concentrate-berseem hay in the ratios 1:1 and 1:3, or berseem hay alone. Milk intake was gradually reduced and completely stopped after the sixth week of age in the groups given dry feeds. Two calves from each group were slaughtered at 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks of age. In addition, four buffalo calves were slaughtered at 21 days of age for comparison.

Observations on ruminal tissue weight, content weight and the ruminal capacity indicate that the ruminant stomach of buffalo calves weaned on dry food after the sixth week of age becomes structurally developed by 9 weeks of age, whereas the rumen remains underdeveloped in calves fed milk to 15 weeks of age.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

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