Effect of Consortium Probiotic Addition on the Health of Pre-Weaned Buffalo at BPTU Siborong-borong

Abstract

Abstract Low immune systems and bacterial infections are the main cause of the high mortality of buffalo calves. The study aimed to investigate the effect of probiotics addition (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus acidophilus) on the performance of pre-weaned buffalo. The study used 20 pre-weaned buffalo (4-6 months old and an average body weight of 163.53 kg). They were grouped into the Treatment group fed fresh chopped elephant grass and concentrate plus the probiotics; and Control group without the probiotics. The probiotics were offered daily orally using a drenching gun. The parameters measured were body weight, feed consumption, and hematological parameters. The results showed that probiotics increase the average daily gain of calves (P<0.05). The two probiotics have no significant effect on dry matter, protein and energy intake, and feed digestibility. There was an increase in the white blood cell content on calves supplemented with the probiotics, indicating the improvement of the immune system. Conversely, decreasing the white blood cell content in calves who did not receive the probiotics showed a decline in the immune system of the calves. It is concluded that the probiotic improved animal health and body weight gain in pre-weaned buffalo.