DefinePK

Abstract

Two groups each of 10 Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers of 6-8 months age and 98.55±5 kg body weights (BW) were used to study the effects of compensatory growth pattern on growth, reproduction and lactation performance. After adjustment period of 4 weeks, two groups were fed either as per National Research Council (NRC) recommendations or stair-step feeding (SSF). For NRC heifers adopted Holstein Friesian nutrients requirements for growth rate of 0.6 kg/day considering BW of 100, 200 and 300 kg at the beginning of phase I (from 8 to 13 months), phase II (from 14 to 19 months) and phase III (from 20 to 25 months), respectively. The SSF was designed in three phase programme each having 6 months duration started on energy restricted diet (80% ME of NRC) for 4 months and ended with compensatory energy diet (120% ME of NRC) for 2 months. It was found that daily DM consumption for the entire feeding period was statistically (P>0.05) similar in both groups however; heifers on SSF gained 6.8% higher BW than NRC group. Feed conversion ratio was better (P