Department of Animal Nutrition, A. F. Agricultural University, Hyderabad -500030, India
Online published on 29 December, 2011.
Metubollc experiments were conducted on 12 adult Neliore rams which were randomly distributed into tour groups of threu unimals each and led four complete rations consisting of mixed grass hay (50%) as roughage source along with the replacement of groundnut cake protein by sunflower seed cake at 0 (T1), 25 (T2) 50(T3) and 100(T4) per cent levels and processed into mash form. The digestibilities of OM and NFE were not signiiicantiy dilferent among different experimental rations. CP, Crude fibre and ether extract digestibilities were significantly (P<0.01) different among different treatment groups. Out of the four complete rations tested, T1 containing groundnut cake recorded higher digestibilities when compared to T2, T3, and T4 containing suntlower seed cake. The nitrogen balance was not significantly different among treatment groups but calcium and phosphorus balances were significantly (P<0.01) higher with complete rations 3 and 4 when compared to 1 and 2. The OOP and TDN contents and their intakes were higher than the recommended levels. The results indicated that balanced low cost complete rations could be formulated for sheep by replacing costly groundnut cake protein with sunflower cake.
