Evaluation of Thumero (Lagerstroemia speciosa) Loppings in Mithun (Bos frontalis) Rations

Four adult male mithuns (av. BW 336.8 ± 10.84 kg) were randomly fed on paddy straw based total mixed ration (roughage: concentrate 50:50- Control, R1), however in treatment rations R2, R3 and R4 10, 20 and 30% of concentrate portion was replaced by thumero (Lagerstroemia speciosa) loppings (w/w). All the rations were densified into feed blocks and fed to mithuns for 21 days and thereafter a metabolism trial was conducted following a Latin Square Switch Over Design. Mean DM intake did not vary significantly among rations, however water intake was significantly (P<0.01) higher on ration R2. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, CF and NFE did not vary among rations; however, the EE digestibility of ration R3 was higher (P<0.05) than other rations. Animals fed on different rations were in positive N balance, however, those on ration R2 had higher (P<0.05) balance. DCP and TDN intakes were significantly (P<0.05) higher on ration R2 however, variation among rations R1, R3 and R4 was not significant.