Evaluation of Moringa oliefera leaves in sheep

The nutritional value of drumstick (Moringa oliefera) leaves and berseem fodder was evaluated by in vitro gas production test. The gas and methane production and in vitro true digestibility were higher with drumstick leaves as compared to berseem when the two fodders were tested as sole substrate but the differences were nullified when the fodders were tested by mixing with concentrate and wheat straw in the same ratio as was fed to the animals. Crossbred sheep (10; 4 m old of 17.2 kg BW) distributed into two equal groups were offered either 400 g green berseem (CP 14.8; NDF 55.9; ADF 41.3; EE 2.0) or 500 g green leaves of moringa olifera (CP 22.9; NDF 41.5; ADF 20.5; EE 8.9) supplemented with 100 g concentrate mixture and ad lib wheat straw. DM intake, digestibility of nutrients and nutritive value was similar in both the groups. The results indicated that the drumstick leaves could be used as a protein supplement in the diet of sheep.