Department of Feed and Fodder Technology, College of Veterinary Science, A.P. Agricultural University, Rajendnmagar, Hyderabad-500030, India
Online published on 21 January, 2012.
Digestion and metabolic studies were conducted on four adult Nellore rams in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to determine nutrient utilisabiiity from sunflower head meal (SHM) and subabul (Leucaena Icucocephala) meal (SM) used as replacements to mixed grass hay (MGH) and groundnut cake, respectively, The experimental animals were fed ad libitum with 4 complete mash diets consisting of MGH (48.5%) in group 1; MGH (33.5%) and SM (30.0%) in group 2; SHM (33.5%) and SM (30.0%) in group3and SHM (48.5%) in group 4. Voluntary DM intake was higher (P< 0.05) in animals fed on diets 2, 3 and 4 than diet 1 used as control. The DM, OM and NFE digestibilities in the diets containing SHM were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the control. The CP and EE digestibilities of diets containing SM were significantly lower (P<0.01) than the control. Animals in groups 2 and 3 showed lower (P< 0.05) N retention. Higher (P<0.01) Ca & P balances were observed in groups 3 and 4. The results showed that SHM and SM could be used in making complete diets for sheep by replacing MGH and groundnut cake.
