Evaluation of mulberry tree leaves based diets in Corriedale lambs

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in two phases; phase-I, five experimental rations were prepared with incorporation of mulberry leaf meals replacing concentrates @ 0% (C), 20% (TR₁), 40% (TR₂), 60% (TR₃) and 80% (TR₄), respectively and TR₄ was found the best in terms of IVDM, IVOM and IVNDF digestibility. In phase-II, TR₄ was made in two forms, mash and CFBs and were fed to six corriedale lambs in group T₁ and T₂, respectively. The control group (C) was fed with conventional ration prepared in mash form as per NRC 1985. The fortnightly dry matter intake expressed as per cent of body weight in C, T₁ and T₂ groups were 3.77, 3.90 and 4.07, respectively, and were statistically significant between T₂ and control group with highest value in T₂ group. The digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, EE and NDF differ significantly amongst the groups with highest values observed in group T₂ followed by T₁ and control. However, digestibility coefficient of CF differ significantly between control and other groups (T₁ and T₂), which were statistically at par with each other. However, the digestibility coefficient values of NFE differed significantly between T₂ group and other groups that showed statistically non-significant. The DCP and TDN values differed significantly with positive balances of all nutrients amongst all treatment groups. Results revealed that mulberry leaves can replace up to 80% of concentrate mixture in corriedale lambs especially in CFB forms with positive effect on nutrient intake, digestibility and balances.