Effect of Different Levels of Concentrate Supplementation on Performance of Sikkim Local Kids Fed Mixed Jungle Grass Based Diet

Fifteen Sikkim local kids of about 9 months of age and average body weight of 16.1±1.19 kg were randomly distributed into three groups of five each in an experiment based on Randomized block design. Mixed jungle grass was offered ad libitum to all the animals. A balanced concentrate mixture was supplemented @ 0, 0.5 and 1% of BW in groups I, II and III, respectively. As supplementary concentrates did not reduce the consumption of mixed jungle grass, total dry matter intake (DMI) increased (P<0.05) with increased level of supplementation. Digestibility of CP increased (P<0.05), and that of ADF and hemicellulose decreased (P<0.05) in Group III in comparison to other groups, however, overall digestibility of DM and OM was not significantly different among the groups. Ruminal pH was not significantly different among the groups. However, concentration of rumen ammonia-N, plasma urea nitrogen and blood glucose increased (P<0.01) with increased level of supplementation. The TVFA concentration increased only up to 0.5% level of supplementation. Balance of nitrogen increased (P<0.01) with increased level of supplementation. Average daily gain (ADG) was 23.6, 43.9 and 54.00 g/d in groups I, II and III, respectively. ADG and DMI/kg gain increased only up to 0.5% level of supplementation beyond which there was no further improvement. From the results of this experiment it was concluded that maximum response in terms of feed consumption, nutrient digestibility, balance of nutrients and average daily gain could be obtained in Sikkim local goats when mixed jungle grass is supplemented with concentrate mixture at the rate of 0.5% of body weight.