In vitro digestibility and gas production on complete feed supplemented with Withania somnifera and Leptadenia reticulata herbs in goats

An attempt was made to evaluate the inclusion of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% levels of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Jiwanti (Leptadenia reticulata) herbs as feed additive on feed efficiency of wheat straw-based complete feed in goats. Three adult male Marwari bucks (18 to 24 months) were selected for collection of rumen liquor for in vitro studies. Significantly higher in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) (60.20, 57.53 and 62.04%), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) (62.40, 59.33 and 64.49%), in vitro NDF digestibility (IVNDFD) (32.28, 32.49 and 35.33%) and in vitro total gas production (29.70, 27.20 and 32.0 ml/24h) were recorded at 3% level of inclusion of W. somnifera and L. reticulata and in 1:1 combination of herbs in complete feed at 48 h of incubation, respectively. It was concluded that W. somnifera and L. reticulata herbs at 3% level improved the nutrient utilization of complete feed in goats.