Dr. Deepa AnanthP SATISH REDDY2024-05-302024-05-302023-03-23https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810209489A feeding trial of 90 days was conducted to assess the effect of nano zinc supplementation to complete ration with different energy levels in Malabari kids. Fifteen Malabari kids of 4-5 months of age were procured from University Goat and Sheep Farm, Mannuthy and divided into three groups and randomly allotted with three complete rations. G1 (Control)- Complete feed containing CP- 14%, TDN- 70%, G2- Complete feed containing CP--14%, TDN- 65% with supplementation of 20 ppm nano zinc, G3 – Complete feed containing CP- 14%, TDN- 60% with supplementation of 20 ppm nano zinc. The body weight gain and daily dry matter intake did not differ significantly (p >0.05) between the three groups. The average daily weight gain of G1, G2 and G3 were recorded as 62.03±13.50 g, 69.62±7.62 g and 58.88±8.97g, respectively. Feed intake per body weight gain was significantly (p<0.05) lower in G2 (4.5±0.19) compared to G1 (4.96±0.14) and G3 (5.19±0.16). A metabolic trial of 5 days was conducted at the end of the feeding trial. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE and CF were not significantly (p>0.05) differed between the three treatments. The digestibility of acid detergent fiber percentage was significantly higher (p<0.05) in G3 (42.83±1.61) compared to G2 (39.03±3.99), G1 (31.80±3.08). The digestibility of neutral detergent fiber percentage was higher in nano zinc supplemented groups G2, G3 than control group G1, however the value did not differ significantly (p<0.05) between the three experimental groups. Nitrogen retention percentage was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group G2 (49.11±1.74), G3 (52.00±3.34) compared to G1 (42.047±1.98) group. The retention of calcium, phosphorous, copper and manganese were comparable between G1, G2 and G3. Per cent zinc retention and serum zinc levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher in nano zinc supplemented groups G3 (49.05±0.987, 1.736±0.31 ppm), G2 (50.72±1.31, 1.651±0.23 ppm) than a non-supplemented group G1 (39.39±1.16, 0.826±0.07 ppm). Based on the present results, it was inferred that supplementation of nano zinc improved ADF digestibility, increased zinc retention, serum zinc level and FCR. There were no differences in growth performance of kids fed on three different energy diets with supplementation of nano zinc.EnglishThesis