Growth performance of magra lambs fed multi-nutrient feed blocks under field conditions of hot arid Rajasthan

Thirty-six Magra lambs (1.5 month old) raised by a farmer at Madholai village (Bikaner), Rajasthan were divided into two groups of 18 each and fed either multi-nutrient feed blocks in Gr-I or Zizyphus nummularia leaves in Gr-II for a period of 60 days during a scarcity period in late winter. Higher growth was achieved in lambs fed multi-nutrient feed blocks compared to feeding of sole Z. nummularia leaves (132.4 vs 97.1g/day) with better feed conversion efficiency (3.10 vs 6.48). Lambs could be economically raised on feed blocks to enhance income of farmers in hot arid zone of Rajasthan.