Utilization of Acacia nilotica Pod Meal as a Protein Supplement in Growing Goats

Abstract

In order to know the effect of feeding babul pods (Acacia nilotica) meal on growth performance of black Bengal goat kid, a growth trial of 75 days was conducted. Eighteen growing male goats (Black Bengal) of 7-8 months old with an average body weight of 10.3 kg were allocated into three dietary treatments (T1, T2, and T3) with six animals in each group. Animals were offered roughage and homemade concentrate feed to meet their nutrient requirements. The concentrate mixture for T1 consisted of 20% maize crushed, 15% mustard cake, 10% groundnut cake, 15% chana besan, 10% rice polish, 25% wheat bran, 2% mineral mixture, 1% salt, and 2% calcite, while T2 and T3 had 10% and 20% Babul pod added respectively, to make the mixture isonitrogenous.  On the end of feeding trial three animals were selected from each group for faecal examination. The babul pods having CP 17.34, EE 4.15, CF 15.32, NDF 34.56, ADF 28.25 and ADL 2.32%, respectively. The total phenolics (%, DM) of Acacia nilotica pod meal were 22.45 comprising of TTPh 19.09, CT 1.94, HT 17.15 and NTPh 3.36, respectively.  The average body weights and average daily gain (40.72g, 46.82g, 52.04g) were statistically (P>0.05) non-significant. The FCR in relation to DM and CP were statistically (P>0.05) non-significant. The parasitic load was reduced significantly (P<0.05) in T2 and T3 group. The feed cost was higher in T1 group and net profit was higher in T3 group than others. It was concluded that the feeding of babool pod @ 10% and 20% of ration of black Bengal growing goat increased in weight gain by 458-849g and average daily gain increased by 6 -11g/day.