Effect of Protein Sources in the Starter Ration on the Behavioural Response of Suckling Buffalo Calves

The experiment was conducted on 18 buffalo calves of about 1-3 months of age to find effects of three different calf starters (differing on the source of protein) on the behavioural response and cost of rearing. The calves were divided into three groups (six calves in each group) randomly under three treatments i.e. T₁, T₂ and T₃. In T₁ group groundnut cake, T₂ group soyabean and in T₃ group mustard cake with fish meal (10 %) as protein source, respectively with green fodder and bhusa was fed ad lib. Average eating time spent during day time by the calves were 215.53 ± 8.703, 213.16 ± 9.841 and 182.03 ± 10.318 minutes and the corresponding figures for rumination and resting time spent during day time were 130.07 ± 5.397, 168.17 ± 6.742 and 152.0 ± 11.475 minutes and 280.57 ± 14.988, 274.77 ± 18.566 and 226.03 ± 18.540 minutes in T₁, T₂ and T₃ groups, respectively revealed that feeding behaviour was significantly influenced by the treatments. The eating time was significantly (P<0.05) low in T₃ as compared to T₁ and T₂. However, there was no significant difference between T₁ and T₂. The rumination time was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₂ as compared to T₃. The rearing cost per kg body weight gain was Rs. 33.86, 26.91 and 32.56 in T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively. The cost per kg body weight gain was less in T₂ followed by T₁ and T₃.