Performance of goats fed arhar (Cajanus cajan) straw based pelleted complete ration

An experiment was planned for 110 days to utilize arhar straw based pelleted complete feed in local goats. Twelve non-descript local goats randomly divided into (T₁) with average age 10.66±0.70 m and weight 20.83±0.86 and offered sole arhar straw pellets with supplementation of 300 g concentrate pellets 18% CP and 70% TDN and (T₂) with average age 10.55±0.17 m and weight 22.40±1.19 kg were fed on arhar straw based pelleted complete diet of 15% CP, 60% TDN. The DMI and DMI/100 kg BW were significantly (P<0.01) more in T₁ group. The ADG was 94.83±18.85 (T₁) and 83.52±3.43 (T₂) g and the feed conversion efficiency was better in T₂ group. The digestibility coefficients for different nutrients revealed non significant differences except for NFE (P<0.01). The DCP and TDN of the diets were 8.99±0.39, 58.05±1.65 and 9.52±0.03, 53.41±1.39. All the goats under treatments were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. The rumen liquor profile study revealed significant (P<0.01) variations for pH, NH₃-N, TCA-ppt-N, TN and NPN. It was concluded that both the rations performed well in terms of weight gain and nutrient utilisation and can be fed to the goats for optimum weight gain under intensive system of management.