Effect of defaunation on the growth rate and nutrient utilization in growing male kids fed tree leaves-based ration

Abstract

Removal of protozoa from the rumen has been shown to be associated with improved protein to energy ratio under certain dietary regimes and concomitantly beneficial to the ruminants productivity. The effect of defaunation on young goats under present experiment indicated higher dry matter intake and better feed conversion efficiency on Azadirachta indica and Ficus bengalensis tree leaves-based diets. Non-significant higher values of digestibility of nutrients, with respect to dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extracts and nitrogen free extract were also reported from defaunated goats on both the diets. The results indicated that defaunation may improve productivity from young goats on tree leaves-based diet.