Utilisation of Paddy Straw in Complete Rations for Sheep

The performance of growing crossbred male Jambs from 91 to 180 days of age was studied on ad-libitum feeding of four complete rations containing 40 to 50% paddy straw with or without supplementation with urea. Supplementing paddy straw with urea at 1% level showed no beneficial effect on the digestibilities of nutrients, growth performance or qualitative carcass characteristics. Supplementation of urea depressed the DM intake of lambs. Lambs fed complete ration, containing 40% paddy straw and 60% concentrates, showed higher weight gains (P<0.01J and efficiency (P<0.05) than those fed on other three rations. The cost of feeding per kg live weight gain ranged from Rs. 9.25 to 10.67, in different groups. The results indicate that paddy straw could be utilized upto 40% level in complete rations for sheep and that urea supplementation showed no additional advantage.