Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding varying levels of guava waste meal (GWM) on growth and nutrient digestibility in ram lambs. Eighteen ram lambs (were randomly divided into three equal groups of six each and allotted to one of the dietary treatments (T1 to T3) comprising of green fodder viz., Super Napier and concentrate mixture (20% CP) containing GWM at 0, 10 and 20%, respectively for a period of 90 days. The average DMI ofram lambs was comparable among the treatments. Data revealed higher (P<0.05) final weight gain, ADG and better FCR (P<0.05) in T2 compared to other treatments. Further, the feed cost/ kg gain was lower in T2 compared to control. Significantly higher (P<0.05) digestibility (%) of DM, OM, CP, CF and NDF was observed in ram lambs of group T2 compared to other treatments, while the difference in CP, EE, NFE, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose was non-significant. The TDN content expressed as % in diet consumed was higher (P<0.05) in T2 compared to other treatments, while the difference in DCP (%) in the diet consumed was not significant. Similarly, the estimated DE and ME intakes (Mcal/d) were higher (P<0.05) T2, while there was no significant difference in the intakes of DM, DCP, TDN and ME per KgW^0.75 It was concluded that GWM incorporated up to 10% in the concentrate of ram lambs evinced better performance.