Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are an important component of livestock in Nepal. Its population has been estimated as 4,204,886 in 2005/06 (MOAC, 2006). Buffalo calves are seldom raised for meat in Nepal (Rana et al., 2000). In cases where they are raised, they are confined until six to eight months of age, as their dams will not give milk without them (Rana et al., 2000). Scientific information on fattening of male buffalo calves is scanty. A field based study was conducted to access the body weight of male buffalo calves raised under forage based and forage based plus limited concentrate supply at different ages, to determine the cost effectiveness of fattening technology under farmers’ managed condition.
Potential risk factors associated with ill-thrift in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis) raised at smallholder farms in Egypt