Chemical composition, nutrient intake and digestibility of top feed by sheep and goats.

Chemical Composition of promising top feeds was estimated. Digestibility trials were conducted on sheep and goats to assess the nutrient intake and digestibility of various top feeds. Dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre varied from 23.28 to 28.64 per cent, 12.10 to 14.63 (except 23.13 per cent in Soobabul) and 21.08 to 25.74 per cent respectively. The dry matter consumption by goats of different top feeds varied from 3.17 to 3.95 kg. Per 100 kg body weight as against 2.10 to 3.16 kg by sheep. The digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrients were as high as 16.48 per cent and 70.23 per cent, respectively in goats. It is concluded that the goats are superior to sheep in utilizing top feeds containing higher crude fibre.