IMPACT OF EXOGENOUS FIBROLYTIC ENZYMES ONI-NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING BUFFALO CALVES

SUMMARY ifteen male buffalo calves with an average of initial live body weight 181 kg ± 0. 2 were used to study the effect of fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) supplementation on growth performance, nutrients digestibility of growing male buffalo calves. Calves were randomly assigned into three nutritional groups (each of five animals) to receive one of the following experimental rations: the first group served as a control (T1) were received the basal ration (without fibrolytic enzymes); second (T2) and third (T3) groups were received the basal ration plus 10 g and 20g EFE /h /d., respectively. Results indicated that different experimental rations had in general almost similar chemical composition. Adding EFE to basal ration of buffalo calves, led to significant improvement (P <0.05) in experimental rations digestibility and nutritive values (TDN and DCP). Data obtained pointed out also to positive insignificant impact of EFE supplementation on accelerating calves daily gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Efficiency of feed utilization (FCR) was highest in T3 followed by T2 in compare with T1, however, differences were statistically non-significant (P<0.05). male buffalo calves with an initial live body ± 0.2 into three nutritional groups (each of five animals / group) to receive one of the following experimental rations; the first group served as a control (T1); the second group (T2) received the basal ration (T1) which was supplemented with 10 g EFE / head/ day; (T3) received the basal ration plus 20 g EFE /head/day. Rations were offered ad lib and residuals were daily weighed and recorded. A digestibility trail was conducted according to Abou-Akkada and El-Shazly (1958). Samples of rations offered and residuals if any were daily weighed during the collection period for further chemical analysis. Samples of feeds and faeces, were analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE), ash contents according to A.O.A.C. (1990).