Utilization of Autoclaved Castor Bean Meal in Concentrate Rations for Sheep

Inclusion of autoclaved deoiled castor bean meal (CBM) to replace groundnut cake protein at 0 (R-I), SO (R-II) and 100 per cent (R-III) in lamb rations had no significant effect on average daily gain, feed efficiency and digestibility of nutrients except EE digestibility (P < 0.01). The lambs fed R-II and R-III rations recorded a positive N, Ca and P balances which were comparable to control ration (R-I). The P retention expressed as per cent of intake was higher (P < 0.05) but when expressed as percent absorbed was lower (P < 0.05) in lambs fed R-II compared to R-III and the differences among the treatments R-I and R-II, R-I and R-III were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The DCP and TDN values of the rations and intake of DM, DCP and TDN were comparable amongst the treatments. The results revealed that autoclaved deoiled CBM can replace 50 per cent of groundnut cake-N in the concentrate mixtures of growing sheep ar 12.5 parts of the ration.