Evaluation of arhar and gram straw based pelleted complete feed in goats

The study was conducted to evaluate arhar and gram straw based pelleted complete feed. Non descript local goats (18; 320 d old of 21.8 ± 0.8 kg BW) divided into 3 equal groups were offered complete feed pellets based either on arhar straw (ASCF) gram straw (GSCF) or exclusive arhar straw pellets supplemented with concenrate pellets (AS-CONC) for 110 days. The roughage to concentrate ratio was maintained at 60:40 in all the diets. The DM and CP intake (as % BW) was comparable between ASCF and GSCF but was improved (P<0.01) in AS-CONC diet. The digestibility of most of the nutrients (OM, CP and EE significantly) was higher in goats fed gram straw based pelleted complete feed. The significantly (P<0.01) low NH₃-N and NPN content in the rumen liqur of goats fed AS-CONC diet were responsible for higher (P<0.01) TCA-N as compared to other groups. The gram straw based complete feed pellets had highest (P<0.01) DCP content compared to other diets, but the TDN content was comparable in all groups. The goats under all the treatments were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. The daily live weight gain was considerably higher in goats fed gram straw based pellets. It was concluded that goats fed on gram straw based pelleted complete diet performed better and fulfills the requirement of goats growing at 108 g per day under stall fed condition.