Author(s):

Bhalerao SB, RM Zinjarde, VG Atkare and NP Kadam

Abstract: The hydroponic maize fodder diets were evaluated in Osmanabadi goats for 84 days. The six goats (8-10 month age) was divided into three groups in switch over design and fed T₁: dry roughages ad lib + green fodder, T₂: dry roughages ad lib + 30% hydroponic green maize + 70% green maize and T₃ :dry roughages ad lib + 40% hydroponic green maize + 60% green maize with concentrate mixture to all groups. It was observed that hydroponic green maize containing 18.20, 15.05, 10.93, 06.84, 64.46 and 02.72 per cent DM, CP, CF, EE, NFE and Total Ash respectively. The average daily DM intake was higher in T₃ (929.99 g) followed by T₂ (827.98 g) and T₁ (773.00 g) whereas, DMI was observed as 4.27, 4.42 and 4.74 kg/100kg BW in T_1, T₂ and T₃ groups, respectively. The mean daily body weight gain was observed highest in T₃ (56.33 g) followed by T₂ (46.50g) and T₁ (39.83 g). The mean gain in body length, chest girth and wither height were observed to be highest in T₃ (5.70, 6.15 and 6.81 cm) followed by T₂ (5.22, 5.55 and 6.33 cm) and T₁ (4.71, 4.71 and 6.00 cm). The total cost of feeding per kg body weight gain was found lowest in T₃ followed by T₁ and T_2. The treatment (T₃) 40% hydroponic maize fodder fed showed better and desirable result as compared with T₁ and T₂ treatment. Thus, feeding of 40% hydroponic maize fodder with concentrate and roughages improve the growth performance of Osmanabadi goats in terms of body weight gain and economical.

Pages: 508-511  |  1334 Views  817 Downloads

Download (478KB)