Green Banana (Musca Sps.) leaves in the ration of kids

Female kids (18), 108–131 days old of 9.9 ± 1.14 kg body weight were randomly distributed into 3 equal groups i.e. control group in which the CP was contributed equally by concentrate mixture and Lucerne (T₁), CP contributed by Lucerne was replaced up to 50% (T₂) or 100% (T₃) by green banana leaves, thereby contributing 25 and 50% N in the diets of kids. The banana leaves contained 86.9, 11.3, 27.1, 7.4 and 1.5% OM, CP, CF, EE and Ca, respectively. The DM intake as per cent of body weight was comparable in all the groups. The digestibility of DM, OM, CF and total carbohydrates was depressed (P<0.05) but that of EE was improved (P<0.05) by feeding banana leaves especially in T₃ group. The N and P retention was affected significantly (P<0.05) but, banana leaves showed no effect on Ca retention. Replacing Lucerne on N-basis by banana leaves did not have any adverse effect on the daily live weight gain in kids, but demand for energy i.e. TDN required/kg gain was higher (P<0.05) in kids fed banana leaves. It was concluded that banana leaves could be incorporated safely up to 25% in the diet (on N-basis) of kids.