Nutrient Utilization in Buffaloes Fed Urea and Bleaching Powder Treated Straw Based Mash and Densified Feed Blocks

Twelve Murrah buffaloes (about 2 y and 237.7±0.8 kg B. wt) were divided In 3 groups. They were fed complete diets based on urea (4%) treated straw (T1), 2% bleaching powder + 1% sodium hydroxide treated straw (T2) or densified straw of complete feed of T2 (T3), respectively. Treated straw to concentrate ratio was 73:27. Voluntary feed Intake was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T1 (92.6 g/W0.75kg) than T2 (84.8 g/W0.75kg) and T (7I.3g/w0.75kg). Water intake was 5.9 litre/kg DM intake in all the groups. Digestibility of DM was significantly (P<0.01) hieher In T1 (60.0%) than T2 (51.6%) and T3 (55.1 %) but that of OM was similar in three groups. Digestibility of CF and NFE was significantly higher (P<0.01) in T1, whereas CP digestibility was lowest in this group and highest in T3. N balance (g/wk) was comparable in T1 and T2 but significantly (P<0.05) hieher in T3. TDN intake In T2 (2.47 kg/d) and T3 (2.15 kg/d) was sufficient for maintenance but in T1 (3.18 kg/d) it was significantly (P<0.01) higher.