1Department of Animal Husbandry, IIMT University, Meerut-250 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
2Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut-250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India
3Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, India
4Faculty of Agriculture, Guru Kashi University, Bathinda-151 302, Punjab, India
5Department of Agriculture Science, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra-282 003, Uttar Pradesh, India
6Department of Agriculture, Dolphin (PG) Institute of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, Dehradun-248 007, Uttarakhand, India
*Corresponding Author: Rajbir Singh, Animal Husbandry, IIMT University, Meerut-250 001, Uttar Pradesh, India, Email: dean_agrisc@iimtindia.net
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of partial replacement of concentrate mixture with dried Moringa oleifera leaves on nutrient intake, digestibility, blood biochemical and haematological attributes in growing Barbari goats.
Twenty female Barbari goat kids were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with five animals in each group. The control group (C) was fed with basal diet comprising equal proportions of roughage and concentrate. In treatment groups T1, T2 and T3, the concentrate mixture was partially replaced with dried M. oleifera leaves at 20, 30 and 40 per cent levels on dry matter basis, respectively. A preliminary period of 14 days was given, followed by 90 days feeding trail and a collection period of 7 days for the conduct of digestibility trial.
Significantly (P<0.01) higher dry matter intake was observed in kids fed with moringa leaves. The intake of CP and DCP was also higher (P<0.01) in treatment groups compared to control group, highest intake recorded in group T3. Digestibility coefficients of nutrients except crude fibre was not affected with the inclusion of moringa leaves in the diet. Based on nitrogen balance study, it was found that nitrogen intake and nitrogen retention was significantly (P<0.05) higher in moringa-fed goats. Glucose, total protein and globulin concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) higher and cholesterol reduced (P<0.01) in all the treatment groups. Haemoglobin, PCV and TEC concentration showed significant (P<0.01) rise, values remaining within normal physiological limits.
Barbari goats, Blood biochemical profile, Digestibility, Moringa oleifera, Nutrient utilization
