Indian Journal of Small Ruminants (The)

A trial was conducted to study the effect of feeding dried Moringa oleifera leaf powder (DMOLP) as a replacement of concentrate feed in goats. Eighteen male Barbari goats of uniform age (11 to 13 months) and live weight (16.62±0.01 kg) were randomly divided into three groups of six each. The animals in control (M₀) were fed a basal diet containing roughage (wheat straw and green berseem) and concentrate feed, whereas in the treatment groups, concentrate feed was partially replaced with dried Moringa oleifera leaf powder at 5 (M₅) and 10% (M₁₀).The average daily feed intake was similar in the three groups. The average daily gain was significantly higher (P<0.01) in M₁₀ (74.27±0.05 g) compared to M₀ (56.21±0.03 g). The addition of DMOLP in concentrate feed at 5 and 10% levels significantly (P<0.01) increased in concentration of glucose, protein and globulin and decreased cholesterol in goats than control. The cost of feed per kg body weight gain was significantly (P<0.01) reduced from 174.32±10.02 (M₀) to 126.56±8.15 (M₁₀). It is concluded that goats fed concentrate mixture replaced with 10% dried Moringa oleifera leaf powder increased feed intake and utilization, body weight gain without any negative effects.