Effect of Different Plant Protein Supplements in Sheep Fed Red Gram (Cajanus Cajan) Straw on Nutrient Utilization and Nitrogen Balance

A metabolism trial in rams was conducted in a 4 × 4 Latin Square Design to study the effect of supplementation of plant proteins @ 20% metabolizable protein requirements to red gram straw in terms of nutrient utilization and nitrogen balance. The animals were fed exclusively on red gram straw (T-1), with soybean meal (T-2), sunflower cake (T-3) and full fat soybean meal (T-4). Supplementation resulted in increased DCP (P<0.01) and TDN (P<0.05) content. The N retention (g/day), expressed as % of intake and % of absorbed were higher (P<0.01) due to supplementation