Nutrient utilization and growth performance of goats on pelleted complete diets prepared from gram (Cicer arietinum) straw and arhar (Cajanus cajan) stalks

Abstract

Local goats (18) were fed for 120 days in 3 groups i.e. CMF complete mash feed (T1), GSP gram straw pellets (T2) and ASP arhar stalk pellets (T3) having 12% CP and 600/0 TDN. The daily DMI revealed significant (P<0.01) differences among treatments. The feed conversion efficiency and ADG was significantly (P<0.01)better in T2 and T3 groups as compared to control. The digestibility coefficients of different nutrients revealed significant (P<0.01)differences for CP, NFE, EE and were higher in test diets as compared to control. The goats in all the groups were in positive N, Ca and P balance. The rumen liquor profile studied fortnightly revealed significant (P<0.01)differences for pH and NPN; being higher in test groups. The blood biochemicals studied fortnightly revealed significant (P<0.01) variations for calcium, total protein and globulin. It was concluded that goats fed on gram straw and arhar stalk based pelleted complete diets performed better in respect of weight gain and can fulfill the requirement of goats growing at 70-75 g per day.