National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
In the present study performance of Murrah buffalos calves (n=16) were evaluated to test the hypothesis of nursing of calves by their own mothers increases the body weight of calves and decreases the milk production. 16 pregnant Murrah buffaloes milked under restricted suckling system during previous lactation and with equal parities and expected milk production ability were randomly divided into two groups comprises 8 in each as G1 (Suckled) and G2 (Weaned). The calves from group of G1 buffalo were allowed to suckle their respective dam’s milk however, calves from group G2 were weaned immediately after birth and fed colostrum and milk artificially. Average daily milk yield of weaned group G2 buffalo was significantly (P<0.01) lower in comparison to suckled group buffalo G1 (6.31 vs. 8.99 kg/day). Although calves of both the groups were born with similar body weight at birth (P>0.05) but body weight at 180 days of age were 113.12±2.81 vs. 122.77±2.63 kg in group G2 & G1 respectively, which was significantly (P<0.05) higher in suckled group buffalo calf resulted significantly (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) was higher in case of suckled calves (0.512 ± 0.03 kg/day) than weaned calves (0.451± 0.02 kg). The present study doesn’t support the above hypothesis therefore, it is concluded that suckling have positive effect on milk production and calve body weight gain in Murrah buffalo.
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