Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, -304501, India
*Present address Dairy Cattle Nutrition Division, N.D.R.I., Karnal - 132 001
Online published on 5 January, 2012.
The performance of male weaner broiler lambs was observed on feeding of complete diets based on 50 percent dried pala (Group T1) or ardu leaves (Group T2) from91st to 180th day of age. The growth rate of lambs in two groups was almost similar. The intake and digestibility data showed that the lambs in group T1 maintained on pala based diet consumed more dry matter vis-a-vis group T2 on ardu leaves, however, digestibibity of DM, CP, CF and NFE were higher in group T2, The net nitrogen retention (g/d) did not differ significantly in two groups. The efficiency of nutrient utilization for growth was higher in group T1 and also this group produced more (P>0.05) lean mutton (percent lean of loin) compared to group T2. It can be inferred that dried pala leaves can serve as an Important feed resource in feed lot rations for broiler lamb production and quality mutton.
