Effect of energy and protein levels in pelleted starter ration on the performance of local kids

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.