Effect of replacement of concentrate with chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) fodder meal on nutrient utilization and growth performance of bundelkhandi goats

Twenty-four growing Bundelkhandi goats (weighing 9.21±0.50 kg) were randomly divided according to body weight into three groups of eight animals in each, and offered a composite ration of dry grass and concentrate mixture to investigate the effect of replacing concentrate with chaya fodder meal on feed intake, nutrient utilization and growth performance in goats. In the concentrate mixture of groups T₁, T₂ and T₃, 0, 50 and 80% crude protein (CP) was replaced with chaya fodder meal. All the animals were remained under this feeding regime for a period of 90 days and at the end of experimental feeding, a metabolism trial was conducted for 7 days duration. For conducting the digestibility cum metabolism trial five kids were selected from each group. Voluntary feed intake (g/kgW0.75) was similar in T₁ (60.90), T₂ (62.01) and T₃ (61.16). Digestibility coefficients (%) of DM, OM, CP, EE and NFE were higher (p<0.05) in T₁ and T₂ than T₃, except for CF and ADF, which were similar among treatment groups. Total VFA and TCA-precipitable-N was higher (p<0.05) in T₁ and T₂, while reverse was true for pH and ammonia-N. DCP intake in T₁ and T₂ was sufficient for daily gain of 60g while it was sufficient for 50g only in T₃. N balance (g/d) was significantly higher in T₁ (3.77) or T₂ (3.40) than T₃ (1.88). Similarly, average daily gain (g) was also higher (p<0.05) in T₁ (54.17) and T₂ (55.70) as compared to T₃ (40.63). The results indicated that 50% crude protein replacement of concentrate mixture did not affect the nutrient utilization and growth performance, however, replacement of 80% CP of concentrate mixture with chaya fodder meal adversely affected the N retention. It was concluded that 50% CP from concentrate mixture could be replaced by Chaya fodder meal without affecting nutrient utilization and growth performance in Bundelkhandi kids.