Effect of feeding hydroponic horse gram sprouts on nutrient intake, utilization and growth in Konkan Kanyal Goat kids

Abstract

Twenty Konkan Kanyal kids (4 to 6 months old) were divided into four groups and fed hydroponic horse gram sprouts (HHGS) viz., HHGS-0:basal feed (500 g finger millet straw + 700 g green mulato grass + 200 g concentrate), HHGS-15:85% basal feed + 15% HHGS, HHGS30:70% basal feed + 30% HHGS and HHGS-45: 55% basal feed + 45% HHGS. Dry matter intake (g/d) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in HHGS-30 (667.02) than HHGS-0 (619.36), HHGS15(654.73), HHGS-45(663.59). Digestible crude protein (g/d) and metabolizable energy (MJ/d) intakes of kids were 38.28 and 4.32 in HHGS-0, 38.36 and 4.50 in HHGS-15, 38.50 and 4.54 in HHGS-30and 38.73 and 4.77 in HHGS-45 respectively. Average daily gain (g) was higher in HHGS-30 (81.44) than other groups. Feed efficiency was higher in HHGS-45 (4.36) than HHGS-0 (5.04). Haemoglobin and PCV were significantly (P<0.05) higher in HHGS-30 kids than other groups. Therefore, it is concluded that hydroponic horse gram fodder can be used as an alternative for concentrate mixture in the feed ration of kids. Based on feed cost per kg live weight gain, 85% basal feed with 15% horse gram sprouts found cost effective for higher growth performance and economic profitability in kid rearing.