Performance of Male and Female Mithun (Bos frontalis) Reared in Captivity and Fed Mixed Tree Leaves and Straw Based Ration

Growth performance, nutrient utilization and some of the biochemical characteristics of rumen liquor and blood of male and female mithun were studied under captive condition. Five nos of each male and female mithun (Bos frontalis) of 1 year age were reared in captivity and fed concentrate mixture, mixed tree leaves and paddy straw to meet nutrient requirement. The tree leaves consisted of temechiedie (Ficus hirta), Pedu (Debrogesia longifolia), thenha (Litsea sps) and thumero (Legroestromea spaciosa). The experiment was continued for 24 weeks of age. The body weight of animals was recorded fortnightly where as DM intake through concentrate and roughage was recorded daily. At the completion of 24 weeks of age, a digestibility trial was conducted to know the digestibility of individual nutrients and nutritive value of the ration. Rumen liquor samples were collected and analysed for pH, TVFA, ammonia N and total nitrogen where as blood was collected and analysed for total protein, albumin and globulin. The average daily gain of male and female mithun was recorded to be 602 g and 554 g respectively. Total DMI per 100 kg body weight was 2.74 and 2.71 for male and female, respectively. There was no significant difference in digestibility of DM, OM, EE, CF and NFE between male and female mithun except CP, NDF and ADF which was higher in male mithun compared to female. The DCP and TDN% of the ration were 8.97, 60.31 and 8.25, 59.63 for male and female respectively. The pH, TVFA (meq/ L), NH3N (mg/100ml) of rumen liquor were 6.27, 132.5 and 12.03 for male and 6.25, 127.8 and 20.20 for female mithun respectively. The NH3N level of rumen liquor in male animal is significantly less compared to female animals. The serum biochemical parameters like serum total protein, albumin and globulin varied from 5.95, 2.50 and 3.45 g/dl for male and 5.80, 2.84, 2.97 g/dl for female respectively. The values of total protein, albumin and globulin of serum did not differ significantly between male and female animals. The present study indicated that mithun can be reared in captivity on tree leaves and straw along with concentrate mixture. There was also difference in the performance of male and female mithun for the above period.