Indian Journal of Dryland Agricultural Research and Development

To determine the feeding effect of densified total mixed ration (TMR) in sheep, an experiment was conducted at livestock farm, Hayathnagar Research Farm of ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, India. A total of 18 Nellore growing male sheep of 6-8 months age were selected and randomly divided into 3 treatment groups having 6 sheep in each group considering their body weight (12.56±0.45 kg). Existing feeding practice at the farm was considered as control group (T₀). In another two groups, animals fed TMR (40% roughages: 60% concentrate, contained 14% CP), where one fed as block (T₁) and another as mash form (T₂). For making TMR, sorghum stover was used as crop residue. The feeding trial was continued for a period of 90 days. After one month of the feeding trial, a digestibility trial was conducted. Respective samples of supplied feed, leftover and feces samples were subjected to chemical analysis for determination of crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), dry matter (DM), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). The data were analyzed using “SPSS 21.0” in completely randomized design (CRD). Fresh feed intakes were significantly (p<0.001) higher in T₀ group than those of animals in T₁ and T₂ groups. DM intake, CP intake and %DM intake on live weight were significantly higher in T₁ group (densified TMR). Average Daily Gain (ADG) significantly (p<0.01) differed among treatment groups. Highest ADG (gm/day) and B:C ratio was observed in T₁ (67.67, 5.49) and T₂ (53.67, 4.71) groups and lowest in T₀ group (43.44, 1.31 respectively). Except ADF digestibility, most of the nutrient’s digestibility were significantly higher in T₁ and T₂ group than T₀ group. TMR, either in block or mash form gives better results in terms of ADG and nutrient digestibility.