Nutrient utilization in camels fed sewan (Lasiurus sindicus) grass with or without ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) leaves

Young Bikaneri camels (5; 2 yrs old; 297.2 ± 8.6 kg BW) were offered dry chaffed sewan, (Lasiurus sindicus) grass ad lib in phase I for 30 days followed by supplementation of dry Ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) leaves @ 1.0 kg/head/d in phase II for 30 days. The DM intake in phase I was 2.19±0.22 kg/d or 0.78 ±0.08% BW which increased to 3.36 ± 0.12 kg/d or 1.18% BW in phase II. Supplementation also improved (P<0.01) DM digestibility -9.52 ± 15.64% in phase I to 45.34 ± 1.67% in phase II. Significant (P<0.01) increase in DCP and ME intake was observed on ardu leaves supplementation to sewan grass in phase II. Water intake was also higher in phase II (7.83 ± 0.6 1/d) than in phase I (6.47 ± 0.891/d). No significant difference was observed between 2 phases in respect of serum glucose, total protein, albumin, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium except phosphorus. The results indicated the beneficial effort of tree leaves supplementation on nutrient utilization and growth in young camels fed only grass diet.