Comparative Nutritive Value of Green Gram (Vigna Radiata Linn.) Bhusa for Goat and Sheep

Green gram (moong).bhusa contained on dry matter basis 9.40, 2.92, 25.30, 48.55, 1.85 and 0.70 per cent crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, nitrogen free extract, calcium and phosphorus, respectively. Digestion cum metabolic trials conducted on adult non-lactating sheep and goat fed green gram bhusa at maintenance level indicated that sheep consumed 3.42±0.05 kg dry matter/100 kg body weight as compared to 3.16±0.14 by goat. The digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, NDF and ADF was significantly (P<0.05) higher in sheep vis-a-vis goats. The nutritive value (%) in terms of DCP and TDN for sheep and goat was 5.66,45.91; 5.37 and 43.80, respectively. All the animals maintained their body weight and were in positive balance for N, Ca and P during the course of this study. Balances of N, Ca and P did not vary signiflcantly between the two species. The results of this study showed that moong bhusa alone can provide nutrients to maintain non-lactating sheep and goat during winter season.