2010•Indian Journal of Animal NutritionOpen access
Effect of Complete Feed Blocks on the Performance of Lactating Buffaloes
P.C. Lailer, S.S. Dahiya, Dhruvendra Lal, T. R. Chauhan
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Abstract
The effect of feeding complete feed blocks to lactating Murrah buffaloes was studied. Fifteen buffaloes of first lactation were divided into three groups of five each on the basis of milk yield and similar period of calving. Buffaloes in control group were fed on conventional feeding system with concentrate mixture, green fodder and wheat straw. The same concentrate mixture was used to make complete feed blocks. Wheat straw (WSCFB) and Bajra straw complete feed blocks (BSCFB) were made by taking concentrate: wheat/bajra straw in the ratio of 40:60. Buffaloes in these treatment groups were fed green fodder as in control group. The daily average milk yield and milk constituents (Fat, SNF and TS) did not differ (P>0.05) significantly among the different groups. Average daily DM intake was highest in WSCFB group (13.26 kg) followed by control group (12.58kg) and was minimum in BSCFB group (12.58 kg). Daily feed cost was maximum in control group (Rs.73.80/day) followed by WSCFB group (Rs.72.40/day) and than BSCFB group (Rs.69.30/day). Feed cost per kg of milk produced was maximum in control group (Rs.14.0) followed by WSCFB group (Rs13.58) and BSCFB group (Rs.12.14). Therefore, it was concluded that feeding of complete feed blocks made up of wheat and bajra straw has a comparable effect on DM intake from straws, nutrients digestibility and daily feeding cost in comparison to conventional method of feeding.