Nutrient Utilization, Rumen Fermentation and Growth Performance of Bundelkhandi Kids Fed Grain Containing Legume Hay Feed Blocks

Eighteen growing Bundelkhandi kids (18) of approximately similar age and body weight (10.4 kg) were divided in to three groups of six animals each. Animals were fed blocks of berseem hay alone (B1), 15% (B2) and 30% (B3) maize grain supplemented berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) hay based feed block for a period of 90 days. Dry matter intake (g/d) was higher (P<0.05) in kids fed (B2 and B3) diets than those on B1 diet. DMI (g/kg W^0.75) and DCP intake (g/kg W^0.75) was not affected in different treatment groups, however, TDN intake (g/kg W^0.75) was higher (P<0.05) in kids fed B2 (37.66) and B3 (39.70) diets than those fed on B1 diet (32.13). DM and OM digestibility were higher (P<0.05) on B2 and B3 diets, however, CP digestibility was not different among the groups. Urinary N loss was higher (P<0.05) in kids fed on B1 diets than B2 or B3 diet. N balance (g/d) was higher (P<0.05) on grain supplemented diets (6.38 and 6.67) than un-supplemented diet (4.67). Rumen NH₃-N concentration (mg/dl) was comparable among the groups, however, TVFA concentration (meq/dl) was higher on diet B2 (121.8) and B3 (130.1) than that on B1 diet (113.0). Average daily gain of kids (g) was higher (P<0.05) fed on B2 and B3 diet as compared to unsupplemented diet. Similarly, feed conversion ratio was higher (P<0.05) in maize grain supplemented group (B2 or B3) than un-supplemented group. Blood metabolites like glucose, protein and urea were within the normal physiological range. Results of the present study revealed that kids had higher (P<0.05) nutrient digestibility, rumen metabolites concentration and higher growth performance on feed blocks containing 15% maize grain (B2) as compared to that containing sole berseem hay.