Weight Gain of Buffaloes During Experimental Period

51 96.03 ± 3.92 48 96.33 ± 3.63

Male 54 109.88 ± 5.25 56 109.52 ± 4.80

Female

50	108.87 ± 4.68	48	107.74 ± 5.05
Male	54	131.66 ± 5.68	55	129.46 ± 6.51
12 Female	49	130.13 ± 6.63	48	128.93 ± 5.86
Male	42	158.96 ± 3.88	43	158.47 ± 3.90
24 Female	39	157.97 ± 4.05	33	156.93 ± 4.63
Male	32	171.83 ± 4.70	36	171.75 ± 4.23
36 Female	23	170.25 ± 9.65	28	169.75 ± 4.56

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Similar to fin height and chest girth measurements, the diagonal body length measurements (Table 4.21) of experiment 1 at birth were (60.10 cm for males and 57.55 cm for females); 12 months old (98.28 cm for males, 97.08 cm for females); 36 months old (133.96 cm for males and 133.16 cm for females), experiment 2 were: newborn (57.94 cm for males and 56.21 cm for females); 12 months old (97.14 cm for males, 95.40 cm for females); 36 months old (132.79 cm for males and 131.19 cm for females) and in male buffaloes the diagonal body length measurements were always higher than in female buffaloes.

Year old	Gender	Formula 1 Formula 2
(month) count	n	Mean ± SD	n	Mean ± SD
Male	54	60.10 ± 3.22	56	57.94 ± 3.00
Female	51	57.55 ± 3.32	48	56.21 ± 2.98
Male	54	73.21 ± 2.98	56	72.64 ± 2.81
Female	51	72.82 ± 4.04	48	71.73 ± 2.87
Male	54	84.10 ± 6.83	56	82.73 ± 11.35
Female	50	82.73 ± 2.64	48	80.98 ± 7.21
Male	54	98.28 ± 2.94	55	97.14 ± 2.80
Female	49	97.08 ± 2.82	48	95.40 ± 2.57
24 Male	42	124.40 ± 2.79	43	123.46 ± 2.97

Table 4.21. Dimensions of buffalo diagonal length at different ages (cm)

Newborn

Female	39	123.75 ± 2.64	33	123.37 ± 2.80
Male	32	133.96 ± 3.81	36	132.79 ± 4.23
Female	23	133.16 ± 9.92	28	131.19 ± 3.83

Through the three main dimensions: fin height, chest circumference, and diagonal body length, we see that when the newborn is the chest circumference is the largest, and at 36 months of age, this order remains unchanged and the dimensions of the male buffalo are always higher than the dimensions of the female buffalo. This is completely consistent with the growth law of livestock in general and buffalo in particular, which is the law of uneven development between stages, the calf develops the strongest in the newborn period, then gradually decreases through age milestones, the older the age, the slower the development of the dimensions.

4.3 Effects of high-nutrient diets on growth performance of 7- to 18-month-old buffaloes

4.3.1. Daily food intake

Research on the amount of feed intake of cattle is important in the process of raising animals, on the basis of which it is possible to adjust standards and reasonable rations to maximize the production of meat, milk and traction. The results in Table 4.22 show that: The amount of dry matter (DM) received daily by buffaloes in the experimental treatments (NT) is higher than the control (DC). The difference is only significant in absolute value and there is no statistical difference (P>0.05). The results in Table 4.22 also show that buffaloes in the 13-18 month old stage consume lower dry matter than those in the 7-12 month stage from 0.25 to 0.27 kg DM/100 kg body weight. This is completely consistent with the law of growth and feed consumption for weight gain in cattle in general and in buffaloes in particular. According to Nguyen Xuan Trach et al. (2005), during growth their body mass increased but the percentage of dry matter intake tended to decrease.

In the 7-12 month period, the average total DM intake of buffaloes was highest in NT2 (3.85 kg/day), followed by NT1 (3.69 kg/day) and lowest in

NTDC (3.35 kg/day). The difference in the amount of DM intake of buffaloes in NT1, NT2 compared to NTDC fluctuated from 0.4-0.6 kg/day. The difference in this index between NT1 and NT2 compared to NTDC was statistically significant (P<0.05) and there was no difference between the experimental NTs (P>0.05). This also happened similarly in the 3 research NTs when monitoring the amount of DM intake/100 kg of body weight. The results in Table 4.22 show that the amount of DM intake/100 kg of body weight in the 7-12 month period fluctuated in the range of (2.70-2.96 kg), there was a difference between NTDC compared to NT1 and NT2 (P<0.05), there was no statistical difference between NT1 and NT2 (P>0.05). The results in this study are somewhat lower than those published by Dao Lan Nhi et al. (1999) when feeding buffaloes a diet supplemented with 23% leucaena leaf powder, the amount of DM obtained/100 kg of body weight was 2.87-3.06 kg. The results of our study are also higher than those published by Yuangklang et al. (2001). Accordingly, when feeding buffaloes with untreated straw, 5% urea-treated straw, ruzi hay and dry cassava leaves, it was found that: The amount of daily feed intake in the 5% urea-treated straw and dry cassava leaves diet (2.1-2.3 kg/100 kg body weight) was higher than that in the untreated straw and ruzi hay diet (1.3-1.6 kg/100 kg body weight). Our research results are also similar to the research results of Dao Lan Nhi (2002), when studying the effects of different levels of metabolizable energy in the diet on the daily food intake of buffaloes. The results showed that the daily DM intake of buffaloes was: 2.48; 2.88 and 3.16 kg/100 kg of body weight, corresponding to the energy levels in the food: 80%; 100% and 120% compared to the feeding standards of Kearl (1982).

Table 4.22. Daily food intake of buffaloes

Stage

Single

Solution

NT1

period (month)

Target

NTDC position (100%)

(110%

)

NT2 (120%)

SEM

7 – 12 Total DM kg 3.25 a 3.69 b 3.85 b 0.19

Total energy exchange

MJ	39.15a	45.73b	48.54b	2.07
Total crude protein	g	393.3a	474.1b	494.2b	22.78
Amount of DM/100 kg of KLCT	kg	2.70a	2.88 ab	2.96b	0.11
NLT/100 kg KLCT	MJ	32.24a	34.31ab	35.43b	1.29
Crude protein / 100 kg of KLCT	g	326.9a	349.1 ab	356.9b	12.74
Total VCK	kg	5.06a	5.91b	6.20b	0.21
Total energy exchange	MJ	50.27a	57.78b	60.67b	2.01
Total crude protein	g	545.3a	633.6b	667.1b	19.27
13 – 18 Amount of DM/100 kg of KLCT	kg	2.45a	2.61 ab	2.69b	0.09
NLT/100 kg KLCT	MJ	24.34a	25.41 ab	26.35b	1.03
Protein content / 100 kg KLCT	g	264.1a	278.7 ab	289.3b	11.73

* Note: 100%; 110%; 120% are nutritional levels compared to the feeding standards for growing buffaloes of Kearl (1982); Mean numbers with different letters in a row are statistically different (P < 0.05)

Total metabolizable energy and metabolizable energy per 100kg of body weight daily intake of buffaloes increased gradually according to the nutritional level in the diet. When considering the two stages of age 7-12 and 13-18 months, these indicators were always highest in NT2 (48.54-60.67 and 26.35-35.43 MJ) and lowest in NTDC (39.15-52.27 and 24.34-32.24 MJ), the difference between NTDC and NT2 was statistically significant (P<0.05); there was no difference between NT1 and NT2 (P>0.05).

The average daily total metabolic energy intake of buffaloes from 7 to 12 months of age ranges from 39.15 to 48.54 MJ/day. Our research results are somewhat lower than those of Trinh Van Trung et al. (2006) which is 43.37 to 57.52 MJ/day compared to 39.15 to 48.54 MJ/head/day; the results obtained from our two experimental treatments are somewhat higher than those of Mai Van Sanh et al. (2006) when raising young buffaloes (daily metabolic energy intake of buffaloes is 44.19 to 44.81 MJ/day).

During the 7-12 month period, the daily crude protein intake of buffaloes in the experimental treatments was higher than that of the NTDC (P<0.05). However,

However, there was no statistical difference between NT1 and NT2 (P>0.05). In the research experiments, the highest protein intake was NT2 (494.2 g/day) and the lowest was NTDC (393.3 g/day). The amount of protein intake depends largely on the nutritional value of the diet, of which the most important is the protein density in the diet. In this experiment, it was shown that when the protein density in the diet is high, the protein intake is also directly proportional.

Thus, when the amount of feed intake increases, the level of metabolizable energy and crude protein gradually increases. This is completely appropriate because the amount of concentrate fed to buffaloes increases, the crude protein content and metabolizable energy of concentrates are higher than that of green roughage.

Similarly, at the age of 13-18 months, the monitoring indicators such as the amount of matter received (kg/day); crude protein received (g/day) and metabolizable energy (MJ/day) of the experimental treatments were always higher than the control treatment. The difference between the experimental treatments and the control treatment was statistically significant (P<0.05) and there was no difference between the experimental treatments (P>0.05).

The results in Table 4.22 show that: The total daily DM intake of experimental buffaloes in the 13-18 month period was higher than that in the 7-12 month period (5.06-6.20 vs. 3.25-3.85 kg/day). The highest DM intake in NT2 was 6.20 kg/day and the lowest was NTDC at 5.06 kg/day. Our research results are somewhat higher than those published by Trinh Van Trung et al. (2006); Mai Van Sanh (2008) and Nguyen Cong Dinh et al. (2007). According to Trinh Van Trung et al. (2006), when raising young buffaloes at different levels of cassava flour and cassava leaf flour supplementation, the daily DM intake was 4.20 - 5.46 kg/day; Mai Van Sanh (2008) raised 18-month-old buffaloes with different levels of urea-fermented straw replacing 25%, 50%, 75% of green grass in the diet supplemented with cassava flour and cassava leaf flour, the amount of DM consumed was from 4.57 to 4.68 kg/day; Nguyen Cong Dinh and

cs. (2007) when using rice bran, cassava flour, cassava leaf flour and molasses to fatten young buffalo, the amount of DM intake fluctuated from 4.30 to 5.55 kg/day. Our results are similar to the publication of Dao Lan Nhi et al. (2003), when studying the addition of cassava flour and processed cassava leaves in the diet to fatten young buffalo, the amount of DM intake was 5.5 to 6.4 kg/day. The amount of protein intake of buffalo in the experimental feeding treatments was somewhat higher than the feeding standards for growing buffaloes of Kearl (1982). Accordingly, a buffalo weighing 200 kg, to increase its weight by 500 g/day, needs to be provided with 2.6 kg DM/100 kg of body weight and 543 grams of crude protein/day.

Similarly, the total protein intake of the experimental treatments in this stage was much higher than that of the previous stage, the protein intake of NT2, NT1 and NTDC was: 667.1; 663.6; and 545.3 g/day compared to 494.4; 474.1 and 393.3 g/day, respectively. The difference in total protein intake in the 2 experimental stages of the treatments: NTDC, NT1 and NT2 was 152; 159.5 and 172.9 g/day, respectively. The difference in crude protein intake between the experimental treatments compared to the control treatment was statistically significant (P<0.05) and there was no difference between the experimental treatments (P>0.05).

The total metabolizable energy intake in the experimental treatments also had differences. This index increased gradually with each treatment, highest in NT2 (60.67 MJ/day), followed by NT1 (57.78 MJ/day) and lowest in NTDC (50.27 MJ/day), the difference between the experimental treatments and the control treatment was significant (P<0.05) and there was no difference between the experimental treatments.

Thus, gradually increasing the nutritional value of the experimental buffalo diet increased the intake of DM, metabolizable energy and protein according to each experimental treatment. These research indicators were often lowest in NTDC and highest in NT2.

4.3.2. Weight gain of buffalo during the experimental period

The results of monitoring weight change and weight gain of experimental buffaloes fed with different nutritional levels are presented in Table 4.23.

The weight of buffaloes at the beginning of the experiment in the experimental and control groups ranged from 73.0-75.6 kg and there was no difference in buffalo weight between treatments in the experiment (P>0.05). The weight of buffaloes in the experimental treatments increased gradually with age. At the end of the experiment, buffaloes in NT2 had the largest weight, reaching an average of 281.4 kg, followed by NT1 at 275.5 kg, and the lowest was NTDC with a buffalo weight of 253.7 kg. The difference between NT1 and NT2 compared to NTDC was statistically significant (P<0.05) and there was no statistical difference between NT1 and NT2 (P>0.05). The difference in buffalo weight in NT1 and NT2 compared to NTDC was 21.8-27.7 kg/head, respectively, equivalent to 8.5-10.9%.

The average daily weight gain of buffaloes in the 7-12 month old stage was highest in NT2 at 604.6 g/day, followed by NT1 at 582.6 g/day, the lowest was NTDC at 504.8 g/day, the difference between NTDC compared to NT1 and NT2 was significant (P<0.05), no difference was found between NT1 and NT2 (P>0.05). The research results in this experiment are similar to the results of some previous authors such as: Chantalakhana (2001) stated that the growth rate of swamp buffaloes after weaning fluctuated from 0.34-0.75 kg/day when they were raised with grass and a small amount of supplementary concentrate. According to Terzano et al. (1995), when raising young buffaloes with low and high nutrition levels, the buffaloes gained 530 g and 678 g/day. Ragheb et al. (1989) fattened 100 young buffaloes with a protein/energy ratio of 1/5 and 1/8 and reported weight gains of 625 and 805 g/day, respectively. Bennett (1973) when raising young castrated male buffaloes on Pangola pasture for 28 days had an average weight gain of 0.67 kg/day.

The experiment of Smith et al. (1993) showed that Mediterranean buffalo were fattened with grass, wheat bran and mineral supplements for 140 days with an average weight at the beginning of the experiment of 213 kg, ending at 333 kg, achieving a weight gain of 0.875 kg.

Table 4.23. Weight gain of buffalo during the experimental period

Single

Solution

Target

position

NT1

NT2

SEM

(100%) (110%) (120%)

Starting experimental weight (7 months old)

kg	73.9	75.6	73.0	2.51
Weight at 12 months	kg	164.9a	180.5b	181.8b	4.32
Weight at 18 months	kg	253.7a	275.5 b	281.4b	5.76
Total KL increase period 7 - 12	kg	91.1a	104.9b	108.8b	2.54
Total KL increase period 13 - 18	kg	88.7a	95.2b	99.6b	2.95
Average daily weight gain in phase 7-12	g	504.8a	582.6 b	604.6b	13.98
Average daily weight gain in phase 13 - 18	g	493.1a	528.3b	553.2b	15.87

* Note: 100%; 110%; 120% are nutritional levels compared to Kearl's (1982) feeding standards for growing buffaloes; Mean numbers with different letters in a row are statistically different (P < 0.05)

Our research results are higher than those of Nguyen Duc Thac (1983), calves from 7 to 12 months old increased in weight by 358-483 g/day, Trinh Van Trung et al. (2006), when raising calves from 7 to 12 months old with different nutritional levels, the calves increased in weight by 193-461 g/day. Mai Van Sanh (1996) raised crossbred calves from 6 to 12 months old with a diet containing 15% concentrated feed, the calves increased in weight by 407.6 g/day, 30% concentrated feed was 575.4 g/day, The higher results are because the buffaloes were raised in the experiments with maximum feeding methods and the buffaloes' body weight in the experiments was larger than that of buffaloes in the experiments of other authors.

In the 13-18 month old stage, buffaloes gained the highest weight in NT2 (553.2 g/day) and the lowest in NTDC (493.1 g/day). The difference between NTDC and NTDC was

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