Effect of Wheat Bran Supplementation on the Utilization of Mixed Straws in Goats

Eight adult Sirohl goats (17,76_+0.82 kg b.wt.) were randomly divided in to two groups of 4 each. Wheat and gram straws (1: 1) were fed as sole roughage to both groups, however, each animals in second group were supplemented with 100g wheat bran daily during experimentation. A preliminary feeding of 30 d followed by a digestion trial for 6 d duration was conducted. Supplementation of wheat bran increased DMI (3.25 vs 2.50/100 kg b.wt. or r6 6s 51 g/kg W^0.75). Digestibility of CP (49.87 vs 40.76%) and EE (60.11 vs 50.44%) were significantly (P<0.01) higher in bran fed group while others remained similar in both the groups. DCP and TON values in groups II and I were 3.14, 2.04% and 58.2, 54.8%, respectively indicattng that wheat bran supplementation improved the utilization of various nutrients in goats fed mixed straws as roughage source.