Nutritive Value of Mixed Jungle Grass for Goats in Sikkim

The mixed jungle grass at the ICAR Research Farm, Tadong, Sikkim was evaluated for its nutritive value in 4 castrated Sikkimese bucks (25.4 kg av. body wt.). The daily voluntary DM intake was 239 % of body wt. (52.68 g/kg w^0.75). The mixed jungle grass contained 4.94% DCP, 54.20% TDN and 39.44% SE on DM basis. Average balances (g/d) were: N 0.42, Ca 3.33 and P 0.24. The mixed jungle grass met the maintenance requirements of goats in terms of DCP, Ca and P, but could not provide enough DM and TDN, thus requiring supplementation with energy rich feeds.