The effect of different levels of dietary crude protein on urea metabolism of rusa deer (Cervus timorensis)

Precision feeding approach affecting growth, nutrient utilization, feed conversion efficiency and economics of feeding weaned Murrah buffalo calves

The biological value of protein affects the growth of pre-ruminant calves and most deficient (critical) amino acids are methionine and lysine, which have an important role to play in balancing of amino acids for efficient utilization of feed protein (CP). Planning was made to develop economical calf starter for weaned buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves. Equal-energy calf starters (CS) were prepared with variable protein and amino acid levels, CS1 for control group (26% CP) was made with natural feed ingredients only, while designer CSs for groups CS2 and CS3, had 2 levels of critical amino acids with reduced CP content (21 and 20%, respectively) and fed to 3 groups of 6 calves (age 30 to 45 days and 58.40 kg mean body weight) each for 3 months. Higher growth rate and savings on the cost of feed per kg weight gain was achieved without affecting the digestibility of organic nutrients.

Maintenance Crude Protein Requirement of Penned Female Korean Spotted Deer (Cervus nippon)

This study was conducted to evaluate the protein requirement for maintenance of 2-year-old female Korean spotted deer. In the course of the experiment, each of three hand-reared female spotted deer was fed three diets that were iso-calorically formulated to contain low (approximately 7%), medium (12%), and high (17%) levels of crude protein (CP). Each of six trials included a 5-day transition, a 10-day preliminary, and a 7-day collection period. Dietary protein levels affected the apparent digestibility of CP (p<0.05) but not the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, or acid detergent fiber. All of the deer showed a positive CP balance on all of the diets. The maintenance CP requirement estimated by regression analysis was 4.17 g/kg metabolic body weight (W^0.75)·d. The maintenance digestible CP requirement was 1.42 g/kg W^0.75·d. The metabolic fecal CP was 1.95 g/kg W^0.75·d. The blood urea nitrogen of spotted deer increased (p<0.05) as the dietary protein levels increased.