Effect of groundnut chara feeding in combination with guarphalgati on intake, digestibility and nitrogen recycling pattern in camel

Abstract

Comparative performance of growing camel calves (9; age approximately 4-5 years, BW 418±19.02 kg) fed guar chara (group 1) alone and in combination with 50% groundnut chara (group 2) and groundnut chara (group 3) as a sole feed was evaluated in terms of digestibility of nutrients, feed efficiency and economics of feeding. No significant difference was observed between groups 2 and 1 in respect to DMI. Whereas, DMI% ofbody weight as well as per kg metabolic body weight was significantly higher in group 3 fed groundnut chara than that in groups 2 and 1. Similarly, digestibility coefficient of proximate nutrients except CF was significantly higher in group 3 compared to other groups, while no significant improvement in digestibility ofDM, OM, CP, NFE and ADF were observed in groups 2 and 1. The ADG and change in body weight were nonsignificantly different among the treatments. Calculated dietary nitrogen recycled to rumen was 56.52, 45.64 and 36.22%, respectively, in groups 1,2 and 3. The cost offeed was 12.4 ±O.80, 16.23 ±1.92 and 21.03 ±2.17 Rs/d/animal in respective groups~ Although the cQst offeed 'was lower in group 1 but feed/kg gain were significantly higher (41.42 ±2.47) in comparison to groups 2 (26.63±3.85) and 3 (20.65±1.67). The results of study indicated high feed utilization efficiency of groundnut chara in comparison to guar chara; and further supplementation of 50% groundnut chara to guar chara improved intake and efficiency of nutrients utilization and are also effective and economic means to optimize the utilization of guar chara for better animal performance.