*Department of Livestock production and Management.
**Department of Veterinary Biochemistry.
Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Sci. & A.H., Anjora, Durg-491 001, (M.P.) India
Online published on 29 December, 2011.
Rhea (Acacia leucophloea) leaves (CP 14.81%) were fed Individually to five Jammunapari goats (18–24 m, 29.2 Kg B.Wt) for 30 days for its nutritional evaluation. Leaves contained 7.35% DCP, 44.90% TDN, 2.28% Ca and 0.15% P. Daily DM intake was 1082 g which could support a gain of 57.69 g/d. The Totalis, NPN and TCA-precipitable - N were 90.20,42.45 and 49.36 mg/l00 mi SRL indicating the normal rumen fermentation and a low (P<0.05) aramonia-N. The TVFA concentration was 99.6 meq/1 SRL post-feeding. The total plasma protein, albumin, globulin, Ca, P, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine levels were normal in plasma with a significantly lowered level of urea-N (16.57±0.88 mg/100 ml). It is concluded that goats can be fed solely on Rhea leaves wiihout any adverse effect.
