Effect of Processing Groundnut Hulls on Nutrient Utilization in Sheep and Goats

Mash and pelleted groundnut hulls (GNH) alongwith 5 parts (w/w), molasses were fed ad lib to two equal groups of 6 rams (16-18m; 24.9 kg) duly supplemented with 150g of groundnut cake and 6 bucks (20-22m; 26.7 kg) duly supplemented with 250g of concenrate mixture for 30d in 2 separate experiments. Significantly higher DMI, P balance (P<0.05) and N balance (P<1.01) and significantly lower DCP values were recorded in sheep on pelleted ration. However, in goats fed pelleted ration, significantly (P<0.01) higher CF digestibility and significantly (P<0.05) lower DCP were recorded. Pelleting Increased the NDS and lignin digestibilities in sheep (P<0.01) and goats (P<0.05). Both the species of the animals met the DCP requirements on all the rations. However, the TDN requirements could be met with only on pelleted rations in both the Species. The DCP and TDN values obtained by difference method were 2.7 and 18.5% in ground GNH, 3.3 and 24.4 In pelleted GNH for sheep. Similarly the corresponding values were 2.9 and 18.5 % in ground GNH and 3.0 and 28.0 % In pelleted GNH for goats. These results Indicated that pelleting of GNH increased the palatability and nutrient utilization though it could not form sole source of roughage for any of the species.