Evaluation of Leguminous Hay Based Complete Rations in Sheep

Four isonitrogenous complete rations containing subabul leaf meal (CR-1), sunnhemp hay (CR-2), stylo harnata hay (CR-3) and groundnut haulms (CR-4) each at 60% level were evaluated in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design using 4 Nellere brown rams. The dry matter (DM) intake was 903, 882, 863 and 868 g/d, respectively for rations CR-1 to CR-4. There was no significant difference in the apparent digestibilities of DM, CP and NFE among rations. However, CF digestibility of CR-1 and CR-4 was higher (P<0.05) than those of CR-2 and CR-3. Nitrogen retention was also similar among sheep fed four complete rations. The DCP and TON contents of complete rations were 8.8,60.6; 9.3,51.7; 9.7, 55.3 and 9.5, 61.8%, respectively, for the complete rations 1 to 4.