Effect of ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) leaf powder feeding on the performance of Pantja goats
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Date
2019-08
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
A study was conducted on 16, 6-8 months old Pantja kids for a period of 90 days to study the effect of feeding ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) leaf powder on growth performance, haemato-biochemical parameters and faecal egg counts in Pantja goats. The experimental animals were randomly divided into three treatments and one control group each with four goats having approximately same body weight. The goats of control group (T0) were offered 100 per cent concentrate with grazing while those of T1, T2 and T3 groups were fed ardu leaf powder replacing 25, 50 and 75 per cent concentrate respectively. With this diet schedule, grazing and ad libitum water was provided to all the experimental goats during the entire experimental period. Growth performance i.e. body weight was observed fortnightly. Blood samples were collected on 0, 30th, 60th and 90th day of experiment from all the animals for haemato-biochemical studies. Faecal samples were also collected on 0, 30th, 60th and 90th day. The results of the experiment indicated that ardu leaf powder supplementation showed significantly increased body weight,
haemoglobin concentration, TEC, PCV, MCH, MCV, lymphocytes, serum HDL cholesterol, serum protein profile and serum calcium whereas significantly decreased serum glucose, serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, AST and ALT levels as well as faecal eggs count with best results found in goats fed 75% ardu leaf powder in place of concentrate. There was non- significant effect of ardu leaf powder feeding on serum urea and creatinine levels. All the treatment groups fed with ardu leaf powder showed reduction in feed cost with minimum feed cost noted in treatment group fed with 75% ardu leaf powder. From the results of present study it can be concluded that feeding ardu leaf powder replacing 75 per cent concentrate in the diet of goats may be advised to improve growth performance, haemato- biochemical parameters and faecal egg counts in Pantja goats. Further research should focus on use of ardu leaves/powder taking into consideration meat as well as milk production in goats.
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