Effect of Supplementation of Deficient Trace Elements on Nutrient Utilization and Growth in Goats

A survey was conducted to study the trace mineral status in feeds, which were commonly grazed by the goats. A feeding trial was conducted on ten male Malawi kids which were divided randomly into two groups. Group-I was supplemented mineral mixture containing those trace minerals, which were found deficient in collected feed samples. While group-II was not supplemented with minerals. Animals of both the groups were allowed to graze 8 hour daily, without any concentrate supplementation. The parameters studied were, growth performance and nutrient utilization. The daily weight gain was significantly (P<0.01) higher in G-I than in G-II Intake of nutrients did not differ significantly in two groups, however, nutrients digestibility of significantly (P<0.05) higher in G-I than in G-II.