Effect of dietary inclusion of Ficus infectoria leaves on the performance of lambs
2008
Dey, Avuit | Dutta, Narayan | Sharma, K | Patranaik, A K
Effect of dietary inclusion of Ficus infectoria leaves as an organic protectant of proteins on the perfonnance of lambs was ascertained. Lambs (n=24) were randomly divided into 4 groups and allocated into 4 dietary treatments CT0, CT-1.0, CT-1.5 and CT-2.0 containing 0, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% condensed tannins (CT), respectively, from dried and ground leaves of F. infectoria. Animals were offered a basal diet of wheat straw ad lib. with required amount of supplements to meet their requirements. CT up to 1.5% in the supplement did not interfere with the nutrient intake or digestibility, however, a negative effect was seen on DM, OM and ADF digestibility at 2.0% CT level. Feeding of CT containing diets particularly at 1.5 and 2.0% levels significantly improved N utilization. DCP and TDN values of the composite diets were comparable, except for significantly lower TDN (%) in CT-2.0 than the control. Intake of DCP and TDN was comparable irrespective of dietary treatments, except for significantly lower intake of lambs under CT2.0 as compared to CT-1.0. Average daily gain and wool growth for 180 d were significantly increased by the supplementation of CT at 1.5% level. Blood-biochemical profile were similar among the dietary treatments except for a significant reduction in serum urea level in lambs fed 1.5 and 2.0% CT in the supplement. It may be concluded that CT from F. infectoria leaves at 1.5% in supplement could be used as an organic proteins of proteins for improving the performance of lambs
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