Effect of Bajra Straw Based Complete Diet on Nutrient Digestibility and Rumen Metabolism in Sheep

The effect of feeding bajra straw based complete diet on performance of adult sheep was studied in 3x3 latin square design. They were fed experimental diets T1 (control) containing 40% ground bajra straw and 60% concentrate mixture separately, T2 complete diet (pellet) and T3 complete diet (mash). All the diets were offered ad lib. The edy matter innake/100kg bboy weight and digestibility of organic matter, nitrogen free extract, hemicellulose, crude protein, acid detergent flbre and cellulose and balances of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were significantly higher in T diet than other diets. The DCP and TDN levell and intakes in diet T were also higher (P<0.05) than T1 and T3 The concentration of all nitrogen fractions except total nitrogen, pH and total volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid were similar among treatments. However, a significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between different periods of rumen liquor collection in all nitrogen fractions except food and protozoal nitrogen. The results indicated that bajra straw can be incorporated in complete diet of sheep as a sole source of roughage and pelleting the mash using expander-extruder significantly improved the nutrient utilization.