Nutrient Utilization in Barbari Kids Fed Different Levels of Leucaena leucocephala

Twenty one male Barbari kids (3–5, 4.7–8.5 kg) were randomly divided into five groups. Treatment I served as control and kids on treatments II, in, IV and V were given Leucaena leucocephala fodder to supply 25, 50, 75 and 100% of their CP requirements in addition to basal diet of concentrate and oathay. Intake of DM, OM, EE, CP and NFE tended to increase with the level of Leucaena in the ration. All the kids were in positive N, Ca and P balances except kids on treatment V which registered marginal negative P balance during second metabolism trial. The rumen pH was higher on treatment III and TVFAs were higher (P<0.05) on treatment V than treatment I. Total-N of rumen liquor was significantly lower (P<0.05) on treatment III and it decreased gradually with an increase in Leucaena level. Lower ruminal NH₃-N on treatment IV and V indicated lower solubility of Leucaena-N.