Department of Feed & Fodder Technology, College of Veterinary Science, Hyderabad-500 030, India
Online published on 29 December, 2011.
Eighteen 6–8 wks pregnant ewes (22-23kg) were selected and distributed in 3 groups, 6 in each. They were fed chopped sorghum ad libitum and concentrate (350 g) to meet protein requirement (T1) or ad-libitum chopped surghu m straw and chopped mulberry (Moras alba) hay in 2:1 ratio and 250 g concentrate (T2) or chopped sorghum straw and chopped mulberry hay in 1:1 ratio and 100 g concentrate for 3 m to assess the utilization of mulberry fodder in rations. The DM intakes were comparable on all the 3 rations. The digestibilities of nutrients were comparable except for EE, which decreased (P<0.01) with increased proportion of mulberry liay. The requirements of DCP but not of TDN of animals were met. The birth weight of lambs in all the 3 groups were comparable. The cost of feeding/d/animal were Rs. 1.18 1.15 and 1.16, respectively in the 3 groups.
