Nutrient Utilization and Rumen Fermentation Pattern in Kids Fed Urea Treated Soybean Straw Based Pelleted Complete Ration

Twelve non-descript local kids (4 months age) were divided into two equal groups (7.85, 7.58 kg BW) respectively. One group (TSS) was fed on untreated soybean straw while other (TUSS) was fed on 4% urea treated soybean straw) in the form of pelleted complete ration (R:C; 60:40) with 12% CP and 60% TDN for 100 days. DMI (g/day) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in TSS group (702.38) than in TUSS group (680.08), but average body weight gain and daily gain in both groups were comparable. The digestibility coefficient of nutrients except that if CP and EE did not vary significantly between groups. There were significant (P<0.01) variation between the groups for ruminal pH, and concentarion of TVFA, total N, TCAppt-N, NH3-N and NPN in the rumen liquor. Blood urea N (mg/100 ml) level was higher (P<0.01) in TUSS group (25.37) than in TSS group. It could be concluded that urea treated soybean straw can be successfully incorporated in pelleted complete ration at 60 per cent level for growth and maintenance of kids.