Nutrient utilization and growth performance of Jalauni lambs fed energy supplemented stylo meal based diets

Abstract

A feeding trial of 90 days duration was conducted to record the effect of energy supplementation on nutritional and growth performances in Jalauni lambs fed stylo meal based diets. Twelve Jalauni growing lambs (body weight 14.94±1.2 kg) were divided into two groups of six animals in each. In control group (G1 ), the animals were fed sole stylo meal, while the animals of G2 group were fed stylo meal supplemented with energy source (crushed maize grain) @ 0.5% of body weight for 90 days. DM intake (kg/ 100 kg body weight or g/kg W0.75) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in G2 than G1 . Digestibility coefficients of various nutrients viz DM, OM, CP were significantly (P<0.05) higher in G2 than G1 . The daily live weight gain was 81 and 89 g, respectively in G1 and G2 . The DCP intake in G2 was 39.40% higher than G1 which was sufficient for achieving a body weight gain of 90g daily. Similarly, the intake of TDN in G2 was 32.38% higher than G1 . Blood metabolites like glucose, protein and urea were within the normal physiological range. It was concluded that supplementation of energy as maize grain @ 0.5% of body weight to stylo meal based diet can improve the dietary nutritive value and growth performance of Jalauni lambs.