A Note on Feeding Leucaena Leaves and Barley Straw (1:1) with Two Levels of Concentrate in Goats

Ten Marwari male goats (9-10m; 18.88 kg average B. Wt.), divided into two groups of five each and fed concentrate mixture @ 0.5 per cent body weight (G I) and @ 1 per cent body weight (G II) plus dry leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) leaves and barley (Hordeum vulgare) straw mixture (1:1) ad-lib, A metabolism trial was conducted after 40 days preliminary feeding. The ADG (g/d) for the 40 d period was similar in both groups (46,00 vis-a-vis 44.00). Digestibility of EE was lower (P<0.05) in GII (33.91±1.90) than GI (49.47±5.78). Similarly, TDN value (%) of the composite ration was apparently lower (P<0.05) in G II (59.29±0.73) than G I (64.06±1.96). N intake and N out go (g/day) through faeces was higher (P<0,01) in G II (15.09 vis-a-vis5.78) than G I (12.58 vis-a-vis 4.47). It is concluded that Marwari goats fed on Leucaena and barley straw as basal ration need concentrate @ 0.5% of the body weight.