Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition

Two roughage based densified blocks (150x150x50mm) were prepared containing 86% chopped sorghum stover with 10% molasses and 81% chopped sorghum stover with 15% molasses. All these blocks were fortified with 2% mineral mixture, 1% urea, 1% salt and 0.01% vitamin AD₃. These densified blocks were compared with a conventional ration (concentrate mixture and chaffed sorghum stover) to evaluate its effect on nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation pattern. These three diets were randomly allotted to 18 male Deccani sheep in a completely randomized design. The sheep fed sorghum stover blocks with 10% molasses recorded lower (P<0.01) dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and nitrogen free extract digestibility in comparison to those fed conventional diet and digestibility of these nutrients when fed as sorghum stover blocks with 15% molasses, were comparable to conventional group. The digestibility of crude fibre was similar and ether extract was lower (P<0.01) when fed densified blocks. The lower nutrient digestibility when fed 10% molasses block resulted in its lower nutritive value compared to other two diets. The DCP content was comparable, while the TDN was lower in 15% molasses block compared to conventional diet. The sheep fed densified blocks consumed lower DM and nutrients compared to conventional ration, but those fed 15% molasses block could meet the standard requirements of (ICAR 1998). No effect of feeding densified blocks was observed on ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acid concentration but total nitrogen was lower (P<0.01) compared to conventional diet. The NH₃–N was higher (P<0.05) when fed 15% molasses block than other two diets. Results indicated that the fortified and densified blocks containing sorghum stover with 15% molasses could form a maintenance ration and could be easily transported and stored in fodder scarce situations and drought hit areas.