Comparative Nutrient Utilisation in Sheep and Goats on Cenchrus (Cenchrus ciliaris) Based Diet

Comparative nutrient utilisation pattern in sheep and goats was assessed in a feeding experiment of 50 days duration on Cenchrus hay and concentrate (65:35) based diets. DM intake (g/kg/w^0.75) was higher (P<0.01) in sheep (62.12 g) than in goats (57.10 g), while DCP intake (g/kg/w^0.75) was lower (P<0.05) in sheep than in goats. The digestibilities of DM, CP, NDF, ADF and gross energy were significantly (P<0.05) higher in goats than in sheep. Digestibilities of hemicellulose, cellulose and N balance were simitar in both the species. During the experimental feeding, goats lost weight marginally (−0.6 kg) whereas, sheep maintained their body weight (+0.4 Kg). It Is cosicluded that Cenchrus based diets can be fed to sheep and goats for maintenance.