Effect of Substitution of Soybean Meal by Detoxified Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) Cakes on Diet Digestibility, Kids Growth and Nutrient Efficiency

In order to know the effect of feeding detoxified jatropha cake (dJC) on voluntary feed intake, digestibility, growth performance, rumen fermentation and blood parameters in growing kids (Capra hircus), eighteen Marwari male kids of 6–8 months old (BW 16.82±0.37 kg) were randomly allotted to three groups of six in each for 120 days experimental period. The group dJC-0 served as control, whereas, dJC-25 and dJC-75 group were fed detoxified jatropha cake replacing dietary soybean protein at 25 and 75% level in the concentrate and the jowar hay was fed ad libitum. The dJC is higher in protein (57.4%), fibre (9.6%), ash (3.0%), Ca (0.9) and P (1.9) compared to soybean meal. The digestibility coefficient of various nutrients did not differ among the treatment groups. All the animals were in positive N, Ca and P balance, which did not differ among treatments. Intake of dry matter was statistically similar and ranged between 3.50 and 3.77 kg/100 kg body weight. The daily water ingested by the growing kids ranged between 2.17 and 2.36 kg/kg DMI. The average daily gain was 91±3, 87±3 and 82±4g, respectively in dJC-0, dJC-25 and dJC-75 groups (P>0.05). The average increase in heart girth, height and length was statistically similar (P>0.05). The efficiency of nutrient utilization in terms of DM, protein (CP and DCP) and energy (TDN) were not influenced by inclusion of detoxified jatropha cake. The ruminal pH, concentration of TVFA and different nitrogen fractions were statistically similar. There was no significant difference in blood parameters and cell mediated immunity. It was concluded that the detoxified jatropha cake can be incorporated in concentrate mixture by replacing soybean meal protein up to 75% level without affecting digestibility, total nutrients intake, growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, rumen fermentation and health of growing kids.