Effect of including Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves for replacing groundnut haulms in complete diets on growth of kids

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the optimum inclusion of Azadirachta Indica (Neem) leaves for replacing groundnut haulms in complete diets of kids. Twenty non-descript male kids of 4–5 months of age with an average body weight of 11.38 kg were allotted to four treatment groups. The ratio of neem leaves and groundnut haulms in T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ complete diets were 0:60, 20:40, 40:20 and 60:00. The average daily gain in kids was not significantly different among T₁, T₂ and T₃ (42.62, 40.58 and 38.24 g). The ADG was significantly lower (P<0.01) in T₄ (32.46 g). The crude fibre digestibility in T₄ was the lowest (P<0.01). However, DMI (kg/100 kg live weight and g/kgw^0.75) of kids was not statistically significant among the treatment groups. The feed cost per kg live weight gain was lowest (Rs. 50.54) in T₃ compared to Rs.57.02, Rs.54.62 and Rs.51.69 in T₁, T₂ and T₄ groups. It was concluded that neem leaves could be incorporated up to 40% level in complete rations without affecting the growth rate in kids.