Utilization of unfertilized and fertilized dhaman (Cenchrus ciliaris) grass by marwari sheep in Arid region

Twelve healthy Marwari ram lambs of about six months age and comparative mean body weight (23.67 kg) were divided in to 3 equal groups viz. T₁ (control, maintained on grazing), T₂ (stallfed on unfertilized Cenchrus ciliaris) and T₃ (stallfed on fertilized C. ciliaris). The T₁ animals were sent out daily for 4 h grazing on natural (Cenchrus dominated) pasture, whereas T₂ and T₃ animals were kept in sheep pan in separate enclosures. Daily consumption of feed and water for both T₂ and T₃ animals was recorded daily. The body weight of all animals was recorded at weekly interval. During the first 5 weeks, the treatment (T₂ and T₃) group animals were fed the un-chaffed grass but subsequently switched over to chaffed C. ciliaris grass. The dry matter intake (DMI)/100 kg BW of un-chaffed unfertilized and fertilized grass (2.82±0.19 and 2.73±0.15 kg) was lower than chaffed grass (3.04±0.09 and 3.13±0.11 kg). Water intake (l/100 kg body weight/day) was high (6.46±0.22) in T₃ as compared to T₂ group (5.39±0.22) in VIII week. The over all 91 days% increase in body weight and average daily gain (ADG) for T₁, T₂ and T₃ groups was 13.68, 14.49 and 14.15% and 55.23±3.16, 38.46±4.81 and 46.78±3.08 g, respectively. The feed palatability and DMI was comparable in lambs fed both unfertilized and fertilized C. ciliaris grass, whereas water intake by animal fed on fertilized grass was on higher side. Body weight gain of unfertilized and fertilized grass was comparable, however, control group showed higher gain. There was no significant difference in various blood parameters studied, however, T₂ group showed lower plasma urea values. Sheep reared on free grazing showed higher average daily gain in comparison to those reared exclusively under stall feeding with either fertilized or unfertilized C. ciliaris grass.