Nutritional evaluation of methi straw in sheep and goats

The methi straw (Trigonella foenum-graecum L) was evaluated in ten growing animals, five each of Sonadi x Corriedale sheep (14–20 kg) and Sirohi goats (16–20 kg). The methi straw contained 88.5, 88.4, 11.5, 37.0, 1.2, 38.7 and 11.6% DM, OM, CP, CF, EE, NFE and ash, respectively. The difference for DM, OM, EE and NFE digestibility was non-significant in both the species, but CP and CF digestibility was higher (P<0.05) in goats as compared to sheep. The DM intake in goats (3.34% BW) was higher (P<0.01) than that of sheep (3.06% BW). In both the species, an increased DMI was observed on increasing the frequency of feeding from two times to three times per day. The DCP content of methi straw was higher (P<0.05) in goats than sheep but TDN and ME content were comparable between sheep and goat. The average daily gain was 39.6 and 45.6g, respectively in sheep and goats. It was concluded that methi straw alone could provide required nutrients to maintain growing sheep and goats.