Water Washed Neem Seed Cake as Substitute of Deoiled Rice Bran in Sheep and Goat Rations

Sixteen each of adult Deccani rams and local (Mahaboobnagari) bucks were randomly distributed into 4 groups of 4 rams and 4 bucks in each and were fed 4 complete rations containing water washed neem seed cake (WWNSC) at 0 (R), 10(R₂),20(R₃)and 30(R₄) % levels. The digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, EE and NFE were similar between species while CF digestibility was significantly (P<0.01) higher in goats than in sheep. Digestibility of all nutrients except EE was significantly (P<0.01) lower in R₄. CF digestibility was significantly (P<0.01) lower in R₃ and R₄ than R₁ and R₂ All animals were on positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance and they were comparable between sheep and goats. Among treatments, N and Ca balances were similar but phosphorus balance was significantly (P<0.01) lower in R₄. The DCP and TDN intakes of sheep in all groups and in goats fed R₁, R₂, and R₃ met the nutrient requirements. The results indicated that least-cost complete rations could be formulated incorporating WWNSC upto 30% in rations of sheep and up to 20% in those of goat in place of deoiled rice bran.