*Animal Science Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001
Animal Nutrition Division, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umroi Road, Barapani-793 103, Meghalaya, India
Online published on 29 December, 2011.
The Jobs’ tears (Coix lachryma) fodder was more palatable than broom grass (Thysanolaena agrostis) leaves on sole feeding to adult rabbits. The DM intake (kg/100 kg b.wt. basis) on jobs'tears was 3.24±0.14 and broom grass was 1.90±0.19. The digestibility of nutrients, except EE, was lower in jobs'tears than in broom grass. The DCP and TDN content of jobs'tears was 4.06±0.14, 33.81±1.31 and that of broom grass was 8,04±0.30, 43.87±2.88%, respectively. Contrary to the feeding of jobs'tears, broom grass feeding resulted negative balance of nitrogen, however balances of Ca and P were negative on both the grasses. The study revealed that both the forages require supplementation with good quality feed and minerals to meet nutrient requirement of adult rabbits.
Jobs'tears, Broom grass, Nutritive value
