An experiment was conducted to develop suitable kid starter ration of optimum energy and protein level to reduce mortality and obtain optimum growth. Newly born local non descript kids (36; 2.27±0.11 kg birth weight) randomly divided into four equal groups were fed pelleted kid starters containing 18% CP, 65% TDN (T1); 18% CP, 70% TDN (T2); 20% CP, 65% TDN (T3) and 20% CP, 70% TDN (T4) along with milk replacer of 20% CP, 390 Kcal/100 gm ME and green leaves up to 90 days. The DMI as % BW was higher (P<0.01) in T1 and T2 as compared to T3 and T4. The ADG and FCE were better (P<0.01) in T3 group. Rumen liquor profile revealed significant variations for NH3-N, total-N and TCA-N. The cost per kg weight gain was Rs 59.47, 60.72, 46.15 and 50.03 for T1, T2, T3 and T4 group, respectively. It was concluded that the kid starter of 20% CP and 65% TDN level along with milk replacer of 20% CP and green leaves fulfilled the requirement of preweaned kids to obtain optimum growth and reduced mortality under stallfed conditions.
Kid starter pellets, Milk replacer, Growth, Pre-weaned kids
