Voluntary Intake, Nutrients Digestibility and Rate of Passage of Berseem Straw in Sheep and Goats

Twelve growing animals, six each of sheep (Sonadi x corriedale) and goat, (Jalawadi x Sirohi) were fed on berseem straw ad lib. for 20d. Thereafter, straw was offered twice a day for 10 d and thrice a day during subsequent period of 10 d. Rate of passage of feed residue through digestive tract was determined at the end of each period. Berseem straw contained 83.8% DM, 12.5% CP, 1.7% EE, 33.6% CF, 12.2% Ash and 40% NFE oo DM basisi The digestibilities of DM, CP, EE and NFE in goat and sheep were similar, however, CF digestibility was higher (P<0.05) In sheep than in goats. The rate of passage of digesta indicated similar 5% excretion time in both species, but there was significant difference in rumen retention tame and mean retention time in both the species. Voluntary intake of berseem straw (kg/100 kg b.wt.) was higher (P<0.01) in sheep than in goats Irrespective of feeding frequency,