Effect of feeding green gram phulsi on performance of lambs

Munjal male lambs (20) divided into four equal groups were offered moong crop straw and one of the concentrate mixtures to meet their nutrient requirements for 120 days. The conventional concentrate mixture (C) was replaced by green gram phulsi (GGP) at 30 (GGP₃₀), 60 (GGP₆₀) and 90 (GGP₉₀) parts on nitrogen basis. Total DM consumption was the lowest in lambs fed concentrate containing 90% phulsi, however, DM intake as per cent of body weight was the highest (P<0.05) in this group. The digestibility of DM decreased with the increasing levels of phulsi in concentrate mixtures. The digestibility of CP and NFE also decreased (P<0.05) in groups fed concentrate mixture containing more than 30 per cent phulsi in their concentrate mixture. The nitrogen retention was the lowest (P<0.05) in GGP₉₀ group. Nitrogen retention as per cent of nitrogen intake and as per cent of nitrogen absorbed were higher (P<0.05) in C and GGP₃₀ groups as compared to other two groups. DCP and TDN intake decreased (P<0.05) with increase in level of phulsi in concentrate mixtures. The body weight gain was the lowest (P<0.05) in GGP₉₀ group. It was concluded that phulsi can be successfully incorporated up to 30% of concentrate mixture of growing lambs.