This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rearing techniques of buffalo calves
on growth performance, feed conversion. carcass characteristics and economic
efficiency of buffalo calves. Sixteen suckling buffalo bull calves. one week old. were
assigned to two groups according to their live body weight. First groupI (Control; n=6;
38.5 :t. 2.53 kg) was raised on whole buffalo milk from birth to 15 week of age.
thereafter calves were fed dry feed only until slaughter (195 days of age). The second
group (milk—fed; n=10; 37.4 t 1.96 kg) was raised the same as control until 15'" week
and thereafter fed 1 kg of whole milkldayicalf continuously until slaughter (188.2 day of
age). The target of this supplement was to prevent weaning shock. improve growth
rate and maintain baby veal beef characteristics after early fattening. Both groups
received calf starter (ad fibitum). berseem and wheat straw allover the trial. .The
average daily gain (ADG) was improved linearly with the advancement of age.
although the differences between groups appeared from 16'“ week of age (second
period; 1.003 t 0.06 kg and 1.377 t 0.05 kg for control and milk-fed groups.
respectively; Ps0.01). Total dry matter intake (DMI) was higher (Ps0.01) in milk-fed
group than control especially in second period. Therefore. feed conversion was better
(by about 17.3%) in supplemented group than control during second period (2.96 vs.
3.58 kg DMlkg gain) and it was better than those in starting period. Carcass length.
weight and its quarters were higher in milk-fed group than those in control. However.
the hot dressing percentage did not differ between groups. Crude protein percentage
was higher (Ps0.05) in eye muscle of treated group than .control. Additionally. ether
extract percentage of meat was higher (Pa-0.05) in milk-fed group than control.
whereas the moisture was lower (Ps0.05) in the same group. Milk-fed group exhibited
a higher percentage of expressible fluid. cocking losses and tenderness of meat than
those of control. The income of eariy fattening was very good and it was higher in milk-
fed group than control by about 18.7%. The results suggest that whole milk
supplementation in small quantities after weaning age'in veal production could be an
advantageous alternative to improve growth performance and carcass and meat
quality. Also. it can be started at early fattening to produce high quality of meat and
profit of fattening.