FEED CONSUMPTION PATTERN, RUMINAL DEGRADATION, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS IN BUFFALO AND CATTLE

Abstract

The feed consumption pattern, nutrient digestibility and degradability besides physiological parameters were studied in adult male buffalo and cattle by feeding them wheat straw-groundnut-cake diet (9.0% CP) and sole berseem hay (11.6 CP). Dry-matter intake per unit metabolic body size was lower in buffalo than cattle. While buffalo (33.6%) consumed less DM than cattle (46%) on wheat straw ONC diet during first 4 hr of feeding, it was reversed due to berseem hay diet. Although, no significant species differences for ruminal degradation of nutrients existed. degradation of DM, NDF and ADF was higher on berseem hay as compared to wheat straw GNC diet. Buffalo digested more ( P< 0.01) feed nutrients than cattle when poor quality roughage was fed. However. no such differences persisted on good quality roughage. Buffaloes exhibited slower respiration rate than cattle (231 min). The study inferred that eating pattern of ruminants is a function of nature of fibrous diets (though fibre amount also plays role) and animal species.