author(s)
Anjali Khare, Gaurav Thorat, Veena Mani, Sachin Kumar, AK Tyagi and Vandana Yadav

abstract
Twenty eight Murrah buffalo calves (7-10 d old and 31±2kg) were randomly selected and divided into four groups. All the four groups were fed as per ICAR (2013) feeding schedule except that these were additionally supplemented with 0, 8, 16 and 24 g/d chicory root powder (in the four respective groups i. e. T₀, T₁, T₂, T₃) for 90 days. Results showed that the faecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium count was significantly (P<0.05) higher in all the supplemented groups with concomitant reduction in faecal Coliform count as compared to control. Faecal score was significantly (P<0.01) decreased in treatment group. There is no significant difference observe in the clostridium count in treatment and control. Thus, it may be concluded that the supplementation of chicory root powder (8, 16 and 24g) may be useful for enhancing health status and performance of calves.