Effect of feeding gram straw based complete feed pellets on rumen fermentation and haemato-biochemical parameters in goats

The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the effect of gram straw based complete feed pellets with roughage to concentrate in the ratio of 60:40 on rumen fermentation profile and haemato-biochemical parameters of goats. The present experiment was undertaken in 12 adult goats divided into 2 groups (control and treatment group) with 6 goats of approximately similar body weights in each group. Experiment was carried out for one month duration. The goats in the control group were offered ad lib super Napier hay and concentrate @400 g/d/goat, whereas goats in the treatment group were offered ad lib gram straw based complete feed pellets. The rumen liquor pH has non-significant difference between the groups. Significantly higher (P < 0.01) TVFA, total nitrogen concentration along with higher total bacterial and protozoan count were observed in goats of treatment group than in the control group. A nonsignificant difference in the all hematological and bio-chemical parameters was observed between the groups except for blood glucose level. At the end of experiment, significantly higher (P < 0.05) blood glucose level found in the goats of treatment group in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, gram straw based complete feed pellets with roughage to concentrate in the ratio of 60:40 could improve the rumen fermentation pattern and blood glucose level and could not affect the haemato-biochemical parameters of goats that indicated the normal health status of goats.