Evaluation of Casuarina Leaf Meal Based Complete Diet for Goats

Dried casuarina leaf meal (CLM) as a roughage component in complete diets was fed to 20 male goat kids (3–4 months age) for 30 days. The five, isonitrogenous and isocaloric, complete diet pellets containing CLM were not readily accepted by the kids. The DM intake ranged from 32 g in 60% CLM diet to 45 g/kg W^0.75 on basal diet. All animals on experimental diets containing 20, 40 or 60% CLM lost weight, while maximum weight loss (45g/day) was recorded in goats kids fed 60 CLM pellets. These animals also suffered from generalized dermatitis with thick, folded skin and rough hair coat suggesting a possible zinc deficiency. The animals in basal group suffered only 8.3g loss in body weight per day without any skin lesions. Casuarina leaf meal may have limited value as a feed ingredient in rations for young goats.