Effect of dietary addition of bromochloromethane on nutrient utilization and nitrogen balance in muzaffarnagari rams

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of bromochloromethane (BCM), a potent antimethanogenic compound, as feed additive on intake, nutrient utilization, and nitrogen balance in rams fed on diet containing maintenance (NP₁; NRC, 1985) and sub-maintenance level (NP₂; 20% less DE of NRC, 1985) of energy (NRC, 1985) with adequate protein. Sixteen adult Muzaffarnagari rams of comparable bodyweight (40.25±0.65 kg) were divided into four equal groups, were fed these two diets supplemented with 0.04ml BCM (BCM₁) or without BCM (BCM₀) capsules. Results from the 4 experimental diets (NP₁BCM₀, NP₁BCM₁, NP₂BCM₀ and NP₂BCM₁) were tested using 2 X 2 factorial designs. The overall daily feed intake in respective groups were 817.9±19.43, 763.1±10.42, 568.7±15.78 and 592.6±15.78 g/d, the values being numerically lower in NP₂BCM₀ and NP₂BCM₁ than that of NP₁BCM₀ and NP₁BCM₁. Digestibility of nutrients did not differ significantly among the different interacting groups and also between NP₁ and NP₂ or between BCM₀ and BCM₁. Non significant difference was also observed between the values of N balances in rams among the different interacting groups as well as between NP₁ and NP₂ and BCM₀ and BCM₁. Results of the present study revealed that BCM, a potent antimethanogenic compound could be added in the diet of rams without affecting performance.