Effect of nevaro (Ficus hookerii) leaves supplementation to mixed jungle grass on feed intake and nutrient utilization in Sikkim local goats

Four Sikkim local does (average body weight 19.1±2.44 kg) were randomly distributed in an experiment based on Latin square design, comprising of 4 animals, 4 treatments and 4 periods of 21 days each of which 14 days was adaptation period and 7 d was collection period. Four dietary treatments were mixed jungle grass fed ad libitum (I), supplemented with 20 (II), 30 (III) or 40 (IV)% nevaro leaves. Consumption of mixed jungle grass was not significantly affected by increasing level of nevaro leaves supplementation. As a result, total dry matter intake (DMI) increased significantly (P<0.05) with increased level of nevaro supplementation. Digestibility of DM (P<0.01), OM (P<0.01), CP (P<0.05), NDF (P<0.01), ADF (P<0.05) and cellulose (P<0.01) increased only up to 20% level of supplementation. Nitrogen intake (P<0.05), outgo in faeces (P<0.01) and urine (P<0.01) increased linearly with increasing level of nevaro supplementation. Since the increase in outgo was lower than the increase in intake, N balance increased linearly (P<0.01) with increasing level of nevaro leaves supplementation. The net impact of increased intake and digestion was a linear increase in intake of DOM (P<0.01) and DCP (P<0.01) with increased levels of supplementation. It was concluded that nevaro leaves supplementation up to 40% level increased intake of DCP and DOM in Sikkim local goats fed mixed jungle grass.