CHANDRA, RAMESHCHOMBA LANGAMU2023-11-062023-11-062021https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810200422The present study was conducted at Livestock Research Centre of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (N.D.R.I.), Karnal, Haryana, India. It has been established in earlier that transition period in livestock influences the production, health and future productivity of a dam. It also influences the performance of their young ones. Therefore, management of the transition period is cardinal to the performance of a herd/flock. The objective of this study was to evaluate effect of pre- and post-partum feeding of Azolla and flaxseed on the immunity and production performance of does and their kids. Twenty-four pregnant Alpine x Beetal does (ages between 2-4 years) were divided into four homogenous groups, six in each. Four diets were offered: Basal diet of 60:40 fodder and concentrate offered as control without any replacement group (C); in second group (T1) 10% concentrate was replaced with azolla; third group (T2) 10% concentrate was replaced with flaxseed; and fourth group (T3) 5% and 5% of the concentrate was replaced by azolla and flaxseed respectively. There was significant (P<0.05) lower in dry matter intake in T1 as compared to the other groups, though it showed significantly (P<0.05) higher digestibility in dry matter (DM) than control (C) and organic matter (OM) digestibility was also higher as compared to the other groups. DCP/DMI was improved (P<0.05) by 8.04% in T1; 19.31% in T2; and 16.71% in T3. Digestion of EE was significantly (P<0.05) improved replacing of 10% concentrate with flaxseed; DEE was also improved (P<0.05) in T2 and T3. DCF was significantly (P<0.05) improved in T2; Digestibility of ADF was significantly (P<0.05) improved in T3; and TDN of the feed was significantly (P<0.05) improved T2 and T3. Milk yield was higher (P<0.05) in T2 by 18.9% than control, while T1 presented higher (P<0.05) lactose than T3. Average daily gain of kids was significantly (P<0.05) improved kids born from T2 and T3 does. Kids born from does in T3 showed higher (P<0.05) level of IgG-1 and SOD than control (C). Economically, all the treatments had a higher cost benefit ratio with T1 being the highest and cheapest. Overall, immunity and production performance of does and their kids can be improved by replacing 10% concentrate feed with flaxseed to improved digestion of ADF, DCP/DMI, DEE and TDN in feed of does; and improved ADG of their kids.EnglishThesis