Effect of Feeding Tamarind {Tamarindus indica) Seed Meal on Nutrient Intake, ITS Utilization and Growth in Crossbred Kids

The effects of two levels of dietary inclusion of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) seed meal in rations on nutrient intake, its utilization and growth in kids were studied. Eighteen male crossbred (Black Bengal x Beetal) kids were randomly divided into three groups of six each in a completely randomized block design and fed three iso-nitrogenous diets. The diets were designed as (T,) (concentrate feed without tamarind seed meal), T₂ and T₃ (wheat bran in concentrate feed was replaced with a tamarind seed meal at the rates of 1/3^rd and 2/3^rd (w/w). Kids were fed on basal diet of stylo (Stylosanthes hamata) ad libitum. Dry matter intake and digestibility coefficient of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and nitrogen free extract including digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient contents were non-significant among the treatments. Blood haemoglobin and total serum protein levels were not affected by dietary treatments. No significant difference was found in daily body weight gain of the kids among three groups and ranged from 41–44 g/day. Replacement of wheat bran with tamarind seed meal reduced the cost of concentrate feed. The results indicated that there was no adverse effect of replacement of wheat bran with tamarind seed meal in the ration of kids.