1Dairy Cattle Nutrition Division, NDRI, Karnal-132001, Haryana
Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Sciences, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, 500030, Hyderabad, AP, India.
*Senior Scientist (Corresponding author, email: chandatt@gmail.com)
The effect of processing methods on feed intake and nutrient utilization was studied in twenty adult (18–24 months) Nellore rams, divided into 4 groups of 5 each. The animals in control group (T1) were given chaffed (3–4 cm) paddy straw and concentrate mixture separately; while those in group 2 (T2), complete rations in mash form; in group 3 (T3), the same diet as in T2 but also supplemented with dried yeast culture (Saccharomyces cereviseae; NCL 3190) at 0.1% level and in group 4 (T4), the mash form (T2) was subjected to expander-extruder processing. Rumen liquor profile indicated significantly (P<0.01) higher concentration of total N, TCA precipitable N, NH3-N and TVFA in groups T2, T3 and T 4 than in control group (T1) but differences among T2, T3 and T 4 were not significant. Blending of paddy straw into complete diets significantly increased DM intake, digestibility of protein, N balance as well as DCP and TDN intakes compared to control diet, however, supplementation of S. cereviseae or expansion-extrusion processing of mash did not result in further improvement in feed intake and nutrient utilization as compared to mash diet per se.
Processing methods, Complete diets, Feed intake, Nutrient utilization, Nellore sheep
